Define (a) centre of curvature (b) radius of curvature (c) pole (d) principal axis, and (e) aperture, of a spherical mirror with the help of a labelled diagram.

Open in App

Solution

(a) Centre of curvature (C) – It is the centre of the sphere from which the mirror is formed.
(b) Radius of curvature (R) – It is the radius of the sphere from which the mirror is formed.
R = PC

(c) Pole (P) – Pole is the centre of the curved mirror surface, MM’.
(d) Principal axis – It is the line joining P and C.
(e) Aperture – It is the effective length of the mirror, i.e. MM’.

Suggest Corrections

Similar questions

Define the terms pole, principal axis and centre of curvature with reference to a spherical mirror.

Explain the following terms :

Pole, Centre of curvature, Radius of curvature, Principal axis.

Show them on separate diagrams for each of the concave and convex mirrors.

For an incident ray directed towards centre of curvature of a spherical mirror, the reflected ray :

(a) retraces its path

(b) passes through the focus

(d) becomes parallel to the principal axis.

Join BYJU'S Learning Program