Question

Define radius of curvature.

Answer 1

1. The radius of curvature of a spherical mirror is the radius of the circle of which the spherical mirror is a part. It can also be defined as the distance between the centre of curvature of the mirror and the pole of the mirror on the principal axis.
2. The radius of curvature is also a measure of how curved the mirror is. A spherical mirror with a smaller radius of curvature will be more curved than one with a larger radius of curvature.
3. The focal length of a spherical mirror is the distance between the pole of the mirror and the focus of the mirror on the principal axis.
4. Rays parallel to the principal axis converge on the focus (for a concave mirror) or appear to diverge from the focus (for a convex mirror)