Reflection

Spherical Mirror

Reflection of Rays parallel to Principal Axis:

In the case of concave mirror: A Ray parallel to principal axis passes through the principal focus after reflection from a concave mirror.

Fig: Rays parallel to principal axis

Similarly, all parallel rays to the principal axis pass through the principal focus after reflection from a concave mirror. Since, a concave mirror converge the parallel rays after reflection, thus a concave mirror is also known as converging mirror.

In the case of convex mirror: A ray parallel to principal axis appears to diverge from the principal focus after reflecting from the surface of a convex mirror.

Fig: Rays parallel to principal axis

Similarly, all rays parallel to the principal axis of a convex mirror appear to diverge or coming from principal focus after reflection from a convex mirror. Since, a convex mirror diverges the parallel rays after reflection, thus it is also known as diverging mirror.

Reflection of ray passing through the Principal Focus:

In the case of concave mirror: Ray passing through the principal focus goes parallel to principal axis after reflection in the case of concave mirror.

Fig: Ray passing through principal focus

In the case of convex mirror: A ray directed towards principal focus goes parallel to principal axis after reflecting from the surface of a convex mirror.

Fig: Ray through principal focus

Ray passing through the Centre of curvature:

In the case of concave mirror: Ray passing through the centre of curvature returns at the same path after reflecting from the surface of a concave mirror.

Fig: Ray passing through C

In the case of convex mirror: Ray appears to passing through or directed towards the centre of curvature goes parallel to the principal axis after reflecting from the surface of a convex mirror.

Fig: Ray passing through C

Ray incident obliquely to the principal axis: Ray obliquely to the principal axis goes obliquely after reflecting from the pole of the both concave and convex mirror and at the same angle.

Fig: Ray passing obliquely to principal axis