Parts of a Spherical Mirror and Laws of Reflection

Front

What is the Pole (P) of a spherical mirror?

Back

The center of the mirror's surface.

Front

What is the Center of Curvature (C) in a spherical mirror?

Back

The center of the sphere from which the mirror is a part.

Front

What is the Radius of Curvature (R)?

Back

The distance between the pole and the center of curvature. Formula: R = 2f.

Front

What is the Principal Axis of a spherical mirror?

Back

The straight line passing through the pole and the center of curvature.

Front

What is the principal Focus (F) of a spherical mirror?

Back

The point where parallel rays converge (concave) or appear to diverge (convex).

Front

What is the Focal Length (f)?

Back

The distance between the pole and the focus. Formula: f = R/2.

Front

What is the Aperture of a spherical mirror?

Back

The diameter of the mirror's reflecting surface.

Front

What does the First Law of Reflection state?

Back

The incident ray, the reflected ray, and the normal all lie in the same plane.

Front

What does the Second Law of Reflection state?

Back

The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. Formula: ∠i = ∠r.