Question

why centre of curvature lies in front of a concave mirror whereas in convex mirror it lies behind the mirror ​

Answer 1

Answer:

This is because of their shape and the hollow sphere from which they are cut.

SYMBOLS :

{ ) } = Concave Mirror

{ ( } = Convex Mirror

{ ⭕ } = Hollow sphere from which spherical mirrors are made.

Explanation:

For making spherical mirror we use a hollow sphere { ⭕ } , out of which from one side the mirror is cut.

We know that, centre of curvature is nothing but radius of the sphere from which it is cut.

So from from inside the sphere it will be in the front of the viewer but from outside the sphere ,it will be behind the sphere.

When we talk about Concave Mirror { ) } ,it is curved inside at the reflecting surface. This means that its reflecting surface is a part of hollow sphere from inside it { ) } . Thus its curvature lies in front of it.

Now when it comes to Convex Mirror { ( },its reflecting surface is bulged outwards. This means its reflecting surface lies outwards of the hollow sphere where as its non- reflecting surface lies inside of the hollow sphere.

Since the radius of curvature is always taken from inside of the hollow sphere. Thus its radius of lies from the non - reflecting surface i.e. from behind the mirror.

This is the reason why the curvature of concave mirror lies in front of the circle whereas of convex mirror lies behind the circle.