What is Convex Mirror: Definitions, Examples, Terminology, Ray Diagrams, Image Formation, Mirror Formula and Magnification, and Uses

What is a Convex Mirror Overview

One of the core subjects in physics is the investigation of mirrors. At home, we look in the mirror every morning and evening. We often end up reflecting on our internal states as well as our outward appearance. By themselves, mirrors are a fascinating world. There are mirror museums where you may find all different shaped and sized mirrors that will give you a range of different appearances, including tall, short, obese, and slim. A spherical mirror is a mirror with the shape of a spherical surface carved out of it. Spherical mirrors are classified into two types- concave mirrors and convex mirrors. We have both natural and artificial mirrors in this world.

plane mirrors or concave mirrors.  

What is Convex Mirror Example?

Convex mirrors are used in sunglasses, magnifying glasses, and rearview mirrors to diverge light beams.

Terminology related to Convex Mirror

The convex mirror is described by the following terms-

1. Center of Curvature: The convex mirror's center of curvature is the center of an idealized sphere. The letter C denotes the curve's center.
2. Pole: This is the term used to describe the point in the middle of the curved portion of the mirror. P stands for it.
3. Focal Length: The distance between the focus (F) and pole (P) of a spherical mirror is known as its focal length.
4. Focus: After reflecting, a beam of parallel rays that originates at infinity seems to pass through a point when it strikes a convex mirror. The focus of the spherical mirror is at this location. It is represented by the letter F.
5. Principal Axis: The primary axis is the line that connects the mirror's pole with its center of curvature.
6. The Radius of Curvature: The radius of curvature is the circumference of the hypothetical sphere from which the convex mirror is taken. Another technique to calculate the radius of curvature is to measure the distance between any two points on the spherical mirror and the center of curvature. It is denoted by the letter R.

Rule to draw a Ray Diagram of a Convex Mirror

There are certain guidelines that may be used to locate an object's picture, which is as follows-

1. When a light beam strikes a convex mirror, it seems as though it passes through the focus of the mirror after reflection, as seen in the image.
2. When a ray is directed toward the focus and strikes a convex mirror, it reflects and, as shown in the picture, thereafter, becomes parallel to the convex mirror's axis.
3. When a light beam strikes a convex mirror and is pointed in the direction of the mirror's center of curvature, it reflects back in that same direction.
4. When a ray strikes the mirror's pole, it reflects obliquely like a flat mirror.

Read more about the Convex Lens, Simple Microscope, and Concave Lens.

Image Formation by Convex Mirror

An upright, virtual picture is always produced by a convex mirror, regardless of the object's location. There are two options for where to place an item to create a picture, which is as follows-

When an item is located between Infinity and the Pole

When an item is placed between infinity and the pole of a convex mirror, a decreased, virtual, and erect image forms between the pole and the focus, i.e., behind the mirror. The resulting picture is small, virtual, and upright.

When the thing reaches Infinity

When the object is infinity, a point-sized image is generated behind the convex mirror at the main focus. The resulting picture is greatly reduced, virtual, and erect.

Read more about Image Formation by Convex Lens.

Mirror Formula and Magnification of a Convex Mirror

The mirror formula is a mathematical relationship between the mirror's focal length, object distance, and image distance. The formula is as follows-

1/f = 1/u + 1/v

Where,

u = the separation of the item from the pole.

v = is the separation of the picture from the pole.

f = mirror's focal length

Magnification is the height-to-object ratio of the picture and is expressed in- 

m = Image height (hᵢ) / Object height (hₒ)

If u is the object's distance from the mirror and v is the image's distance, the magnification can be expressed as-

m = hi / ho = − v/u

Conventional sign language states that distances measured in the direction of the incident beam are positive, and those measured in the opposite direction are negative. the upward-moving separation.

Uses of Convex Mirror

The following table gives details about the uses of convex mirrors-

Differentiation Between Concave and Convex Mirror

The following are the primary variations between concave and convex mirrors-

1. Since the reflecting side of convex mirrors bulges outward in the direction of the light source, they are also known as fish-eye mirrors or diverging mirrors. 
2. A concave mirror, on the other hand, has an inward-curving reflecting surface. 
3. Convex mirrors provide significantly dimmer pictures. 
4. Concave mirrors, on the other hand, create enlarged pictures of the items.
5. Thus, concave mirrors are utilized in locations where a magnified picture of an item is desired.

Read more about the Difference Between Real and Virtual Images.

Points to Remember

1. A broader vision is provided by convex mirrors than by flat or concave ones. 
2. Depending on the location of the item in a convex mirror, there are two possible ways for an image to form: when the object is at infinity and when it is between infinity and the pole. 
3. Since the focus and center of curvature are fictitious positions inside the mirrors and cannot be reached, convex or curved mirrors always have a tendency to produce a virtual picture.
4. Since a convex mirror reflects light outward, it cannot be utilized to concentrate light. 
5. They are often used as security mirrors in public and as back and side-view mirrors in automobiles.