A ray parallel to the principal axis incident on a concave mirror
| A ray parallel to the principal axis incident on a concave mirror after reflection _____________
A. retraces the path it came from
B. becomes parallel to the principal axis
C. passes through the focus
D. deviates in such a way that when projected backwards passes through the focus
Please scroll down to see the correct answer and solution guide.
Right Answer is: C
SOLUTION
CONCEPT:
- Convex mirror: If the outer surface of the spherical mirror is the reflecting surface then it is called a convex mirror. It is also called the diverging mirror.
- The nature of the image formed by a convex mirror does not depend on the distance of the object from the mirror. These images are always virtual, smaller than the object, and situated behind the mirror.
- Concave mirror: If the inner surface of the spherical mirror is the reflecting surface, then it is called a concave mirror. It is also called a focusing mirror/converging mirror.
- The size of the image produced by these mirrors can be larger or smaller than the object, depending upon the distance of the object from the mirror.
- The concave mirror can form both real as well as virtual images of any object.
EXPLANATION:
- A ray parallel to the principal axis incident on a concave mirror after reflection passes through the focus(F) of the mirror. So option 3 is correct.
EXTRA POINTS:
- Formation of images for different positions of the object by a concave mirror:
- A ray passing through the center of curvature of a concave mirror or directed in the direction of the center of curvature of a convex mirror, after reflection, is reflected back along the same path.
