CBSE Class 10 Answered

A reflecting surface which is a part of a hollow sphere of a glass is called a spherical mirror. A spherical mirror works on the principle of reflection of light.

Spherical mirrors are of two types: (1) Concave mirror (2) Convex mirror.

Concave mirror:

• A concave mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflection of light takes place at the concave surface (or bent-in surface).
• It converges the light rays incident on it after reflection.
• It forms real as well as virtual image.
• The image can be magnified, diminished or of the same size as the object depending on the position of the object.

Convex mirror:

• A convex mirror is that spherical mirror in which the reflection of light takes place at the convex surface (or bulging-out surface).
• It diverges the light rays incident on it after reflection.
• It always forms a virtual image.
• The image formed is always diminished for all the positions of the object.