How does a convex mirror form an image?
A.It bends the light toward a focal point.
B.It bends the light away from a focal point.
C.It bounces the light toward a focal point.
D.It bounces the light away from a focal point.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is D. It bounces the light away from a focal point.
A convex mirror is a spherical mirror that has an outward-curved reflecting surface. This curvature causes parallel incoming light rays to diverge after striking the mirror. The divergent rays appear to originate from a common point behind the mirror, which is referred to as the virtual focal point.
Here’s an explanation of the image formation:
- Diverging Light Rays: When parallel light rays strike a convex mirror, they reflect off the surface and spread out. This is because the reflective surface curves outward. The rays do not converge after reflection, unlike in concave mirrors, where light rays are brought together.
- Virtual Image Formation: The reflected light rays do not meet in real space; instead, they seem to diverge from a single point behind the mirror. The brain traces these rays backward along their paths and perceives them as if they are coming from a single point, forming a virtual image. This image is always upright, reduced in size, and located behind the mirror.
- Focal Point and Focus: The focal point of a convex mirror is virtual. This means that while the mirror reflects light away from the actual focal point, the focus is an imaginary point behind the mirror where the reflected rays seem to converge. The focal length is measured from the mirror’s surface to this point.
- Image Characteristics: The image formed by a convex mirror is always smaller than the object, upright, and virtual. Convex mirrors are commonly used in vehicles’ side mirrors and security mirrors due to their ability to provide a wide field of view and minimize distortion.
Thus, the correct answer reflects the behavior of light after it is bounced away from the mirror, leading to a virtual image behind the mirror.