What do we mean by concave and convex mirrors? - Presentation

Understanding the nature of concave and convex mirrors forms the core of an educational unit aimed at explaining how these mirrors affect our perception of reflected images. Concave mirrors are curved inward, resembling the inner surface of a sphere. They have the unique property of converging light rays that strike their surface, which can produce magnified images or focus light to a point. These mirrors are commonly used in applications like telescopes, vehicle headlights, and shaving mirrors, where magnification or concentration of light is beneficial.

On the other hand, convex mirrors curve outward, similar to the exterior of a sphere. These mirrors diverge light rays, causing them to spread out. This attribute allows convex mirrors to create images that appear smaller than the actual objects but cover a wider field of view. As a result, they are often employed for safety and security purposes, such as in car side mirrors and surveillance systems, where a panoramic view is more important than image size. Pupils are encouraged to engage with interactive resources and experiments to deepen their understanding of how concave and convex mirrors work and their practical applications in everyday life.