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Grade - 8 (BLE) Physics Light

Why is a convex mirror is used as looking glass in vehicles?

Why is a convex mirror is used as looking glass in vehicles?

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As we know convex mirror forms virtual, erect, and diminished images independent of the distances object, having a convex mirror as a rear-view mirror in automobiles and vehicles helps the driver to view large areas of the road behind him/her allowing the driver to identify where the vehicle is approaching from.

concave mirrors in automobiles

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Things to Remember From Light

  • A mirror is an instrument that forms an image by reflecting the rays of light falling on its surface coming from a source of light.
  • There are mainly two types of mirrors:
    1. plane mirror
    2. spherical mirror
  • If the surface of a mirror is a plane, it is called a plane mirror. It always forms a virtual image.
  • There are two types of spherical mirrors:
    1. concave mirror
    2. convex mirror
  • If the outer part of the mirror is raised and the middle part is uniformly lowered, the mirror is called a concave mirror. As a concave mirror converges the parallel rays of light at a point, it is also called a converging mirror.
  • If the outer part of the mirror is lowered and the middle part is uniformly raised, the mirror is called a convex mirror. Since a parallel beam of light diverges after reflection from the convex mirror, it is also called a diverging mirror.
  • A parallel beam of light reflected from a concave mirror converges at a point. But in a convex mirror, a parallel beam of light diverges after reflection in such a way that it appears as coming from a point which is called the focus.
  • The image which can be obtained on a screen is called real image and that cannot be obtained on a screen is called a virtual image.
  • A concave mirror forms all types of images such as real or virtual, enlarged or diminished according to the position of the object.
  • The convex mirror always forms a virtual and diminished image.
  • Concave mirrors are used in torch, search lights, as headlights of motors, as looking glass in parlors and saloons, in telescopes or in solar stoves, etc.
  • Convex mirrors are used to make looking glass of vehicles, reflectors in street lamps, etc.
  • The process of bending light when it passes from one medium to another is called the refraction of light.
  • Light bends towards normal when it passes from rarer to denser medium and bends away from normal when it passes from denser to rarer medium. The rays of light falling normally pass without bending.

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