Spherical mirror is that mirror whose reflecting surface is a portion of a hallow sphere of glass. It is of two main types, concave mirror and convex mirro
Concave Mirror:- A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the process of reflection takes place at the concave or curved surface.
Convex Mirror:- A convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the process of reflection takes place at the convex or bulging out surface
Uses:
The concave mirrors are commonly used as shaving mirrors because when we see our face in the concave mirror then an enlarged and erect image is formed which helps in smoothshaving. A concave mirror is used as the reflector in search lights, head lights of motor vehicles, solar cookers, torches and in table lamps.
- A convex mirror is used as a rear view mirror in vehicles as images are small, erect. This gives us a wider view of the traffic behind.
- Convex mirrors are also used in reflecting telescopes.
- They are also used as reflectors in street lamps, as a result the light from the lamp diverge over a large area.
- A concave mirror is used as a reflector in search light, head light of motor vehicles, telescopes, solar cookers, shaving mirrors.
- Concave mirror is used in ophthalmoscope, for reflecting light on to the retina of the eye.