Question

Give one use of a concave and a convex mirror.

Answer 1

Hint: A concave mirror enlarges the image if the object is kept between focus and pole. So it can be used wherever we need a zoom. A convex mirror decreases the size of the image and increases the field of view.

Complete step by step answer
A concave mirror is capable of producing virtual and enlarged images of objects when kept between the focus and pole of the mirror. This property is used in the making of shaving mirrors to get a large and clear view of the face.

A convex mirror has the property of diverging a beam of ray falling on it. This also means that rays coming from a large area can be viewed using a small convex mirror. This property of having a large field of view is used in side-view mirrors of vehicles so that the driver can see much more area comfortably in a small mirror.

Additional information:
Some other uses of concave mirrors are:

a.) In Solar cookers, where solar light is converged using a high aperture mirror. The food is kept at the focus So that all the electromagnetic energy focuses at a point and get the food cooked.
b.) It is used by dentists to get a clear and enlarged view of our teeth
c.) It is used in torches as a reflector because, By placing the light source at the focus, we can obtain a parallel beam of light. This also gives us a higher intensity because, without the reflector, the light would go in all directions. The presence of a mirror sends all the rays in the same direction.

Note: Concave and convex mirrors are more preferred over convex and concave lenses because of being cheap, easy to handle and have less errors. So mirrors are preferred over lenses wherever possible.