2008-07-30

Reflection of Light on a Curved Surface: Method to draw ray diagrams

1. There are two main types of curved mirrors, namely:

(a) Convex Mirror
(b) Concave Mirror

2. On a Concave mirror, the rays that are parallel and close to the main axis (small opening) converge to a point F (main or principal focus) and the distance FP is known as the focal distance of the concave mirror. (P is the surface of the mirror)



More notes can be found here:
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/class/refln/u13l3d.html

3. On a Convex mirror, parallel rays that are close to the main axis, diverge from the surface of reflection. The rays are seen to diverge from a poinf F (main focus) behind the mirror. The distance FP is known as the focal length of the mirror.


 More notes can be found here:
http://www.glenbrook.k12.il.us/GBSSCI/PHYS/class/refln/u13l4a.html