Reflection of a bundle of rays on a concave and convex mirror: construction

Apply the law of reflection to investigate the reflection of light from a concave and a convex mirror. Answer the questions.

Light beam on flat and curved mirrors

When a beam is incident on a mirror - whether flat, concave or convex - the law of reflection must be applied consistently for each beam. If the mirror surface is concave, a parallel beam or a diffuse beam can be made concentrated; a convex mirror can make a parallel and concentrated beam diffuse.

So that the cross direction of the surface is always perpendicular

In order to apply the law of reflection to concave and convex surfaces, we have to be careful to ensure that the cross section of the surface at the particular point where we want to apply the law of reflection is still perpendicular to the surface.

Reflection of a light ray from a concave mirror

What to say about it

You were successful in the previous problem if you were able to apply the law of reflection to the case where a ray of light incident on a convex surface. If you didn't do so well, look again at the diagram that explains it.