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Name
24 Curved mirrors
Class
Checklist

While studying this topic, tick off each item after you have covered it.

What I should know: What I should be able to do:

 There are 2 kinds of curved mirror:  Recognise which is a concave shape
concave and convex. and
which is convex.
 A concave mirror converges rays of light.
 Draw a diagram to show rays of light
 A convex mirror diverges rays of light.
being converged by a concave mirror.
 Concave mirrors are used:
As energy collectors.  Explain how curved mirrors can have a
For example: as TV satellite dishes
(see p. 159), as solar ovens (see p. 48), variety of uses.
and as radar dishes (see p. 215).
In a reverse way they are used to direct
energy.
For example: in car headlamps, in a
torch, and in electric fires (p. 270).
As a magnifier.
For example: in a shaving mirror or
make-up mirror.

 Convex mirrors can be used:

To give a wide field of view.
For example: as a car driving mirror or
Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-837571-5 GCSE Physics for You, 5th edition © Keith Johnson & Sue Holt
a shop security mirror.
QUIZ
24 Curved mirrors Revision
QUIZ
Use these questions to help you revise (cover the right-hand side with a sheet of paper).

Which of these is concave? (page 185) ... A is concave

B is convex.
2 What does a concave mirror do to light rays? ... a concave mirror converges light rays,
(p. 185) so they come closer together.

3 What does a convex mirror do to light rays? ... a convex mirror diverges light rays,
(p. 185) so they spread further apart.

4 Give some examples of concave mirrors used ... solar ovens (see p. 48),
as energy collectors. (p. 186) radar dishes (see p. 215),
TV satellite dishes (see p. 159).
5 Give some examples of convex mirrors being ... a shop security mirror,
used to give a wide field of view. (p. 186) a convex car driving mirror.

Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0-19-837571-5 GCSE Physics for You, 5th edition © Keith Johnson & Sue Holt