Which term refers to a mirror that curves inward?

Which term refers to a mirror that curves inward?

• A. Concave lens
• B. Convex lens
• C. Plane mirror
• D. Concave mirror

Answer: (D)

Curved inward reflecting surfaces create light that converges after reflection, which is the defining feature of a concave mirror. The reflecting surface curves toward the center, so incoming light rays meet at a point called the focal point. This convergence makes the mirror a converging type: when objects are far away, the reflected rays form a real, inverted image at or near the focal point; when the object is between the focal point and the mirror, the reflections appear to come from a virtual, upright, magnified image behind the mirror. This behavior sets concave mirrors apart from convex mirrors, which curve outward and produce virtual, upright, diminished images, and from plane mirrors, which reflect with no curvature. For clarity, a concave lens is a different optical component and not a mirror.

Curved inward reflecting surfaces create light that converges after reflection, which is the defining feature of a concave mirror. The reflecting surface curves toward the center, so incoming light rays meet at a point called the focal point. This convergence makes the mirror a converging type: when objects are far away, the reflected rays form a real, inverted image at or near the focal point; when the object is between the focal point and the mirror, the reflections appear to come from a virtual, upright, magnified image behind the mirror. This behavior sets concave mirrors apart from convex mirrors, which curve outward and produce virtual, upright, diminished images, and from plane mirrors, which reflect with no curvature. For clarity, a concave lens is a different optical component and not a mirror.