Question

Name the type of mirror used in the following situations.
(a) Headlights of a car.
(b) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle.
(c) Solar furnace.
Support your answer with reason.
[3 marks]

Answer 1

(a) In headlights of a car, type of mirror is concave as the light of the lamp, undergoes divergence from reflector surface and cover a large area in the front.
[1 mark]

(b) Side/rear-view mirror of a vehicle Convex mirror is used. This is because a convex mirror has a larger field of view compared to other mirrors.
[1 mark]

(c) Concave mirror is used to design solar furnaces .
When a solar furnace is placed at the focus of a large concave mirror called reflector, it focuses parallel beam of light coming from the sun on the furnace and the high temperature is achieved.
[1 mark]