Reflection of light from curved surface: spherical mirrors
A spherical mirror is a reflecting surface which forms parts of a hollow sphere |
| Image of concave and convex mirror |
Basic definition and connection with spherical concave mirror
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1:Pole:-It is the middle Point P of the the spherical mirror.
2: Center of curvature: It is the center C of the sphere of which the mirror forms a part
3:Radius of curvature: It is the radius(R=AB or BC) of the sphere of which the mirror form a part
4:Principal axis:-The line PC passing through the pole and boundary of the spherical mirror at its center of curvature c.
5:Linear aperture:-It is the diameter Ab of the circular boundary of the spherical mirror.
6:-Angular Aperture:-It is the angle ACB subtended by the boundary of the spherical mirror at its center of curvature C
7:-Principal focus:-A narrow beam of light parallel to the principal axis either actually converges to as appears to diverge from a point F on the principal axis after reflection from the spherical mirror. This point is called the principal focus of the mirror. A concave mirror has a real focus while a convex mirror has virtual focus
8:-Focal length:-It is distance(f=PF) between the focus and the pole of the mirror
Relation between f and R:
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f=R/2
or R=2f