Question

State three uses of concave mirrors.

Answer 1

Following are the uses of a concave mirror:
1) Use in trapping solar energy: Since concave mirror can gather light and heat and direct the rays to focus, the focus becomes very hot. This property of the concave lens can be used to collect sun’s heat and this heat can be converted to electricity.
2) Use as shaving mirror: Since concave mirrors can produce magnified images of the object when object is placed between pole and focus, this property can be used for making shaving mirrors to prevent cuts and have a better view while shaving.
3) Use in reflecting telescopes: Telescopes are used to study distant stars. Some form of telescopes known as reflecting telescopes uses concave mirror to gather light from distant stars, galaxies, etc, and produce magnified images that help astronomers and scientists to study the structure of the universe.
4) Use as dentist’s mirror: Dentists use small hand held concave mirror to produce a magnified image of the teeth and gum.
5) Use in reflectors: When a source of light is placed at the focus of a concave mirror, the rays become parallel after getting reflected from the mirror and this allows a powerful beam of light to be focused to a long distance. So, concave mirrors are used as reflectors in headlights of cars, torches etc.