Class 10 CBSE Physics Notes. Chapter: Light What are Spherical Mirrors? Terms related to it.

Mirrors whose reflecting surfaces are spherical. The reflecting surfaces of spherical mirror may be curved inward or outward

Concave mirror- curved inward

Convex Mirror- curved outward

Spherical Mirrors

Terms

1. Pole: The centre of the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror is a point called the pole. It is represented by the letter P.

2. Centre of curvature: The centre of the sphere from which the mirror is a part.

3. Radius of curvature: The radius of the sphere from which the mirror is derived. R=2f.

4. Principal axis: The straight line passing through the pole and centre of curvature of a spherical mirror.

5. Focal point(Focus,F): The point where parallel rays of light converge(Concave) or appear to diverge from (convex) after reflection.

6. Focal Length(f): The Distance between the mirrors' pole and its focal point.

7. Real Image: An image that can be projected on a screen, formed by actual convergence of light ray.

8. Virtual image: An Image that cannot be projected on a screen, formed by the apparent divergence of rays.

9. Aperture: The aperture of a spherical mirror is the diameter of its reflecting surface. It determines how much light the mirror can collect and reflect.