Mirrors have surfaces that are shiny, polished, or smooth. They produce images by reflecting the light beam. Consequently, there are two types of mirrors: spherical and flat mirrors. Convex and concave mirrors are two more divisions of spherical mirrors. To understand something clearly, it’s critical to understand the distinction between a concave and a convex mirror. In essence, the convex mirrors’ reflecting surface bulges outward, whereas the concave mirror bulges inward. The image that develops in these two mirrors is the main distinction. In other words, convex mirrors produce smaller images whereas concave mirrors produce larger ones.
Concave Mirror
Converging mirrors are concave mirrors. The parallel incident rays strike the surface of the mirror, where they are reflected and come together at the focal point. The form of a concave mirror is like that of a spoon. This mirror produces an enlarged and simulated image of an object when it is held too close to it. The size of the picture will, however, decrease as the distance between the object and the mirror increases, providing a true image. Therefore, the image that forms could be big or small, virtual or real.
More about Concave Mirror
It is significant to remember that the concave mirror’s reflecting surface specifically bends inward to focus away from the light source. A picture is produced when light reflects off of the curve and hits a certain spot.
It may also reflect a picture in two different ways. When the object is nearer the mirror, a big picture, or virtual image, develops. Additionally, an actual image seems smaller the further the object is from the mirror. These kinds of mirrors are also used by dentists.
Convex Mirror
Diverging mirrors include convex mirrors. In these, the incident ray that leaves the same spot goes in a different direction after reflecting off. Because of this, the light rays on the mirror’s object side do not collide, creating the virtual representation of the actual thing. It can be compared to a spherical mirror with an outward-curving reflective surface. After reflecting in the mirror, it will produce a virtual image since the light rays will precisely converge at that spot. Additionally, the image that develops is upright, small, and pertains to the thing.
More about Convex Mirror
These are known as diverging mirrors because, upon reflection, they cause rays to diverge. As a result, when a beam of light is focused on it, the beam’s initially parallel rays will diverge once they hit the reflective surface.
We use them mostly inside mirrors for automobiles because they have broader fields of view than other reflective surfaces. You can see more of your back thanks to it. It also works well as a security measure. For instance, they are the enormous disk-like reflective surfaces that shop owners place in their establishments.
Difference between Concave and Convex Mirror
| Sl. No. | Properties | Concave Mirror | Convex Mirror |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Definition and Common Name | Concave refers to being rounded or hollowed out, as the interior of a sphere or circle.
Likewise known as a converging mirror. |
Convex denotes a rounded or curved surface, such as the surface of a sphere or circle.
Also known as a diverging mirror or fish eye. |
| 2 | Shape of Mirror | Reflecting surface is curved inwards | Reflecting Surface is curved outwards |
| 3 | Structure | The concave mirror’s mirror coating is located outside of the sphere.
The center of curvature and the reflecting surface in concave mirrors are located on the same side of the mirror. |
On the inside of the spherical surface is the convex mirror’s mirror coating.
The center of curvature and the reflecting surface of convex mirrors are located on the opposite side of the object. |
| 4 | Focus’s Position and Focal Length | The focal length is negative because the focus is in front of the mirror. | The focal length is positive because the focus is behind the mirror. |
| 5 | Properties of Image | Except for when the object is between P (Pole) and F (Focus), when the picture is virtual, upright, and expanded, the image created by a concave mirror is actual, inverted, and huge. | A convex mirror creates a virtual, erect, and reduced picture. |
| 6 | Protection of Image | On a screen, an image can be projected and made to appear genuine. | Since they are virtual, images cannot be presented on a screen. |
| 7 | Applications | They provide a magnified image of the objects and are used in reflecting telescopes, shaving mirrors, torchlights, and other devices. | Convex mirrors are utilised in cars as side or rearview mirrors because they provide a larger field of vision. |
These were the primary distinctions between concave and convex mirrors. Visit the articles listed below to learn more information about them. The following articles can provide further information about concave and convex mirrors’ focal lengths, their image characteristics, other applications, and other related information.
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