Question

1. mirror used by a dentist 2. mirrors on the sides of car 3. floodlights 4. solar devices having mirrors.
Which mirror is suitable for the above applications.
A. concave mirror
B. convex mirror

Answer 1

Hint: In case of mirrors usually there are three types used. Plain mirror, concave mirror and convex mirror. All will serve different purposes. Properties of different mirrors are different. In case of convex mirrors they always form virtual images. While concave mirrors form both virtual and real images and plain mirrors form virtual images.

Complete answer:
1. In case of dentists
They use concave mirrors because when an object is placed between the pole and focal length of this mirror this forms a virtual enlarged image. Hence magnified image means a more clear view of a part where the doctor wants to examine.

2. In case of sides of car
Convex mirrors are used because convex mirrors have larger field views than concave or plain mirrors. Hence driver can see more field area with the help of convex mirrors

3. Flood lights
In flood lights we use concave mirrors and light bulb is kept nearly at center of concave mirror and the light from bulb reflets from that concave mirror and provides higher uniform intensity

4. Solar devices having mirrors
Concave mirrors are used in solar devices because they can harness sunlight that means they focus sun rays to a particular focal point and a bowl is kept there to heat in case of solar cookers. The solar energy present at that point can melt salt too

Additional Information:
The reason why we use concave mirrors in floodlights is because it can focus the rays of flood light onto exactly at a particular point and energy is utilized effectively.

Note:
A warning is written on vehicle mirrors as ‘objects in the mirror are closer than they appear’ for the reason. As convex mirrors form smaller images vehicle images appear to be at bigger distances and in case of concave mirrors to get a virtual magnified view we should place objects within focal length.