Lesson: Chapter 5 — Optics

5.2. Curved (spherical) mirrors 2 of 4

Concave and convex

A mirror whose reflecting surface is curved is a curved mirror. If the curve is part of a sphere, it is a spherical mirror.

Concave mirror

The reflecting surface curves inwards, away from you — like the inside of a spoon.

Convex mirror

The reflecting surface bulges outwards, towards you — like the back of a spoon.

A concave mirror: the reflecting surface curves inwards towards its centre of curvature C, on the same side as the light.

A convex mirror: the reflecting surface bulges outwards, with its centre of curvature C behind the mirror.