Convex Mirror - Uses, Applications, Types, FAQs

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Jul 02, 2025 05:09 PM IST

Mirrors

An object that reflects all the light falling on its surface is called as a mirror, it is used to produce images of an object. Mirrors have varied application even in our day to day life.
The mirror have a special property called lateral inversion where the left side of the object is reflected to produce a left-right inverted image. You may have seen Ambulance written in a different way in front of an ambulance , it is done so that when a person in front of the ambulance in his rear view mirror can read the word Ambulance written on it directly by applying the property of lateral inversion.

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Convex Mirror - Uses, Applications, Types, FAQs

Mirrors are often made by polishing a naturally reflective material like speculum metal or adding a reflective coating to a sufficiently polished substrate.

Mirrors are often used for

personal grooming
As rear-view mirrors in vehicles
Dentist uses as a magnifying factor for treatments
Decoration purposes
It is often used in making telescopes, camera lens etc

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There are different types of mirrors based on the shape and each one have different properties

Types of mirrors

Convex mirror – it is spherical mirror that is curved whose curve is bulged outside and the surface that is bulged out is used as the mirror, it enlarges the image of the object and is used as magnifying purposes like as shaving mirror.

Plane mirror – its surface fill be plane and it donot magnify the image that is the image and the real size of the object will be in proportion . it is usually used as mirrors for personal grooming used in bedrooms and bathrooms.

Concave mirror – it is the type of spherical mirror where the reflecting surface of the mirror is bend inwards and it covers a large image into the small area of the mirror that is it shrinks the image.

In this article we look more about convex mirror

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Convex mirrors

Convex mirrors or Convex spherical mirror is defined as a spherical mirror having a reflecting surface away from the centre of the sphere by which the mirror is taken from.

Convex mirror is also known as diverging mirrors because it reflects the light from far away objects and is virtually focused at the focus.

Convex mirrors

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Principal focus – When the convex mirror is faced to light beams coming from infinity or far away, the point from which the reflected light beams appears to come from after the reflection is called the principal focus of the convex mirror.

Focal length – The distance between principal focus along with pole of mirror is called focal length of the mirror.

f = R²

f – focal length of the mirror

R – Radius of curvature of the convex mirror

Image formed by the convex mirror

NCERT Physics Notes :

If the object is near the convex mirror, the image will be formed between the focus and the centre of the mirror (the point at which the principal axis meets the mirror), the image formed will be diminished in nature but it will be erect image , also the image formed is virtual meaning that the formed image cannot be pictured on a screen.

the object is near the convex mirror, the image will be formed between the focus and the centre of the mirror

If the object is in infinity then the image will be formed at the focus and the image will be point sized and the image will be virtual and erect. here whatever be the size of the object , the image will be point sized here also it is virtual image hence it cannot be made to project on a screen.

the object is in infinity then the image will be formed at the focus

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The applications of a convex mirror

Passenger-side rear view mirror in vehicles is usually convex mirrors because of its property of producing erect image , even if the view of the field is reduced, the image will be upright whereas if we use the concave mirror as a rear view mirror, the area of visibility will be large but the images will be upside down and reduced in size. You might have noticed that in the rear view mirrors it is written the objects are closer than they appear it is due to this magnifying property of the mirror

side rear view mirror

The blind spots at the junctions and large turns are covered by putting there a large convex mirror, it provides a good view of the vehicles approaching from the other non visible edge

large convex mirror

It is used in large factories during the working of large machines to get the view of the production from different angles and hence to increase productivity by knowing the faults in the production and the products.

In sunglasses the principle of convex mirror is used to prevent highly intense sunlight from hurting the eyes as they reflect the sunrays

Sunglasses

These type of mirrors are used as street light reflectors. The top portion of a streetlight is made of the convex mirror as it has this property to diverge light, so that the produced light can be spread over a wide angle.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is convex mirror?

The spherical mirror having reflecting surface which is away from the centre of sphere is called a convex mirror.

2. What are the peculiarities of convex mirror?

its peculiarity is that it is a diverging mirror that can reflect the light coming from far in different directions hence it cant be used to focus the light falling on it, the image formed from the mirror is virtual, erect and smaller than the object and the size increases as it gets closer to the mirror.

3. What is diverging mirror?

convex mirror is also known as diverging mirror as it does not focus the light to produce a real image rather it diverges the light falling on it.

4. What is the use of a convex mirror?

It has several uses- it is used as a rear view mirror, industrial uses , used in roads to remove the blind spots etc..

5. What is a curved mirror?

Curved mirrors are those whose surface appears to be curved and not flat, there are two type of curved mirrors: convex mirror and concave mirrors.

6. What is the use of convex mirrors in agra fort?

A convex mirror is mounted on the wall of agra fort to view a distant tomb clearly and fully. No other mirror can be used there as the entire image of such height in erect manner is provided only by a convex mirror.

7. How does the law of reflection apply to convex mirrors?

The law of reflection states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, and this fundamental principle applies to convex mirrors just as it does to plane mirrors. However, in convex mirrors:

8. Why are convex mirrors used in vehicle side mirrors?

Convex mirrors are used in vehicle side mirrors because they provide a wider field of view, allowing drivers to see more of their surroundings. This increased visibility helps reduce blind spots and improves safety when changing lanes or maneuvering in tight spaces. The "objects in mirror are closer than they appear" warning is necessary because the convex surface makes objects look smaller and farther away than they actually are.

9. What is a convex mirror?

A convex mirror is a curved mirror with its reflective surface bulging outward. It reflects light rays in a way that makes objects appear smaller and farther away than they actually are. The curved surface causes light rays to diverge after reflection, creating a wider field of view compared to flat mirrors.

10. Why do convex mirrors always produce virtual images?

Convex mirrors always produce virtual images because the reflected light rays diverge after hitting the mirror's surface. These diverging rays never intersect in front of the mirror, so the image appears to be behind the mirror's surface. Our brain interprets these diverging rays as coming from a virtual image behind the mirror.

11. How does the image size in a convex mirror compare to the object size?

The image formed by a convex mirror is always smaller than the object. This is because the curved surface of the mirror causes the reflected light rays to diverge, creating a compressed version of the object's image. The further the object is from the mirror, the smaller its image appears.

12. What is meant by the "field of view" of a convex mirror?

The field of view refers to the extent of the observable area that can be seen in a mirror at any given time. Convex mirrors have a wider field of view compared to flat mirrors because their curved surface allows them to reflect light from a larger area. This property makes them useful in situations where a broader view is necessary, such as in vehicle side mirrors or security cameras.

13. How does the distance of an object affect its image in a convex mirror?

As an object moves farther from a convex mirror, its image becomes smaller and appears to move closer to the focal point behind the mirror. However, the image will always remain between the focal point and the mirror's surface, regardless of the object's distance. This property ensures that convex mirrors always provide a compressed view of a wide area.

14. What is the significance of the center of curvature in a convex mirror?

The center of curvature in a convex mirror is an imaginary point located behind the mirror, twice the distance of the focal point from the mirror's surface. It represents the center of the sphere that would form if the mirror's curve were extended into a complete sphere. While not as practically significant for image formation as in concave mirrors, understanding the center of curvature helps in comprehending the mirror's geometry and its effect on light reflection.

15. Can you explain the concept of "virtual focus" in relation to convex mirrors?

The virtual focus of a convex mirror is an imaginary point located behind the mirror's surface, halfway between the mirror's vertex and its center of curvature. It's called "virtual" because light rays don't actually pass through this point; rather, they appear to diverge from it after reflection. Understanding the virtual focus is crucial for predicting image formation and characteristics in convex mirrors.

16. How does the principle of reversibility of light apply to convex mirrors?

The principle of reversibility of light states that light follows the same path whether it's moving forward or backward. In convex mirrors, this means that if you trace the path of a reflected ray backwards, it will follow the same path to the object. This principle is crucial for understanding image formation in convex mirrors and helps explain why the image always appears to be behind the mirror's surface, regardless of the object's position.

17. How does the image in a convex mirror change as an object moves closer to the mirror?

As an object moves closer to a convex mirror:

18. What is the significance of the principal axis in a convex mirror?

The principal axis of a convex mirror is an imaginary line that passes through the center of curvature and the vertex (center) of the mirror. It's significant because:

19. How do atmospheric conditions affect the performance of convex mirrors?

Atmospheric conditions can impact the performance of convex mirrors in several ways:

20. Can convex mirrors be used to correct vision problems?

While convex mirrors themselves are not used to correct vision problems, the principle of diverging light that they employ is used in concave lenses to correct nearsightedness (myopia). In this application:

21. What are the limitations of using convex mirrors for precise measurements?

While convex mirrors are useful for many applications, they have several limitations for precise measurements:

22. How does the material of a convex mirror affect its performance?

The material of a convex

23. What is the focal point of a convex mirror, and where is it located?

The focal point of a convex mirror is an imaginary point located behind the mirror's surface. It is the point where parallel light rays appear to originate from after reflection. The focal point is always located at half the radius of curvature of the mirror. Understanding the focal point is crucial for determining image characteristics in convex mirrors.

24. How does a convex mirror's radius of curvature affect its focal length?

The radius of curvature of a convex mirror is directly related to its focal length. The focal length is always half the radius of curvature. A mirror with a larger radius of curvature (less curved) will have a longer focal length, while a mirror with a smaller radius of curvature (more curved) will have a shorter focal length. This relationship affects the mirror's magnification and field of view.

25. What is the difference between a convex mirror and a concave mirror?

The main difference lies in their curvature and the way they reflect light. A convex mirror bulges outward and diverges light rays, always producing virtual, upright, and diminished images. A concave mirror curves inward and can converge light rays, producing both real and virtual images depending on the object's position. Concave mirrors can also produce magnified images under certain conditions.

26. Can a convex mirror ever produce a magnified image?

No, a convex mirror cannot produce a magnified image. Due to its outward curvature, light rays always diverge after reflection, resulting in images that are smaller than the actual object. This property is consistent regardless of the object's distance from the mirror or the mirror's curvature. The inability to produce magnified images distinguishes convex mirrors from concave mirrors, which can magnify objects under certain conditions.

27. How does the image orientation in a convex mirror compare to that in a plane mirror?

Both convex and plane mirrors produce upright images. However, convex mirrors create a more compressed, smaller image due to their curved surface. In contrast, plane mirrors produce images that are the same size as the object. The key difference is that convex mirrors offer a wider field of view, allowing you to see more of your surroundings in a single glance compared to a plane mirror of the same size.

28. Why are convex mirrors often used in stores for security purposes?

Convex mirrors are popular for store security because they provide a wide-angle view of a large area from a single vantage point. Their ability to compress a broad field of view into a smaller image allows security personnel to monitor more space efficiently. This makes it easier to detect and deter shoplifting or other suspicious activities across a wider area of the store compared to using multiple flat mirrors or cameras.

29. How does the curvature of a convex mirror affect its field of view?

The curvature of a convex mirror directly impacts its field of view. A more curved (smaller radius of curvature) convex mirror will have a wider field of view but will produce smaller, more distorted images. Conversely, a less curved (larger radius of curvature) convex mirror will have a narrower field of view but will produce less distorted images. This trade-off between field of view and image distortion is crucial when selecting convex mirrors for specific applications.

30. How does a convex mirror's focal length relate to its magnification?

In a convex mirror, the focal length is inversely related to magnification. A shorter focal length (more curved mirror) results in a greater reduction in image size, or lower magnification. Conversely, a longer focal length (less curved mirror) produces less reduction in image size, or higher magnification (though still less than 1). This relationship is important when selecting convex mirrors for specific applications where balancing field of view and image size is crucial.

31. Why don't convex mirrors follow the same image formation rules as concave mirrors?

Convex mirrors don't follow the same image formation rules as concave mirrors because of their fundamentally different geometry. In convex mirrors, light rays always diverge after reflection, meaning they never converge to form real images. This consistent divergence results in virtual images that are always upright and diminished, regardless of object distance. Concave mirrors, on the other hand, can converge light rays, allowing for both real and virtual image formation depending on the object's position.

32. How do convex mirrors contribute to road safety?

Convex mirrors significantly enhance road safety by providing drivers with a wider field of view, particularly in areas with limited visibility. They are commonly used in:

33. What is the relationship between a convex mirror's aperture and its field of view?

The aperture of a convex mirror, which is the size of its reflective surface, is directly related to its field of view. A larger aperture allows the mirror to capture and reflect light from a wider area, resulting in a broader field of view. However, increasing the aperture without changing the mirror's curvature will not affect the size or distortion of the image. It simply allows more of the surrounding area to be visible in the mirror.

34. Can convex mirrors be used to focus light like concave mirrors?

No, convex mirrors cannot focus light like concave mirrors. While concave mirrors can converge parallel light rays to a focal point, convex mirrors always diverge light rays. This divergence means that convex mirrors spread light out rather than concentrating it. As a result, convex mirrors are not used in applications that require focusing light, such as in telescopes or satellite dishes, where concave mirrors are preferred.

35. How do convex mirrors affect the perception of depth and distance?

Convex mirrors affect the perception of depth and distance in several ways:

36. Why are convex mirrors preferred over plane mirrors for wide-angle viewing?

Convex mirrors are preferred over plane mirrors for wide-angle viewing because:

37. What role do convex mirrors play in optical instruments?

Convex mirrors play several important roles in optical instruments:

38. How do convex mirrors compare to fisheye lenses in terms of image distortion?

Convex mirrors and fisheye lenses both create wide-angle views with similar types of distortion, but there are key differences:

39. What is the relationship between a convex mirror's focal length and its radius of curvature?

In a convex mirror, the focal length (f) is always equal to half the radius of curvature (R). This relationship can be expressed mathematically as f = R/2. This means:

40. How do convex mirrors affect the apparent speed of approaching objects?

Convex mirrors affect the apparent speed of approaching objects in several ways: