Question

If a ray of light is incident on a spherical mirror through its centre of curvature, the reflected ray:
A. retraces its path
B. passes through the focus
C. passes through the pole
D. becomes parallel to the principal axis

Answer 1

Hint:
The above problem can be resolved using the concept involved in the phenomenon of reflection of light rays from the spherical mirror's surface. The reflection happens in many ways, but in a spherical mirror, this occurs by retracing the path of the incident ray. This retracing of the path is applicable to understand the concept of refraction.

Complete step by step solution
Consider a spherical mirror of some specific curvature radius and of the definite centre of curvature of the mirror. If we incident a ray of light on the surface of a spherical mirror, the beam of light passes through the centre of the mirror's curvature. The light ray is incident in the direction perpendicular to the mirror's plane, and as the light ray is incident on the surface, the rays will reflect from the surface by retracing the path of the incident ray.
Therefore, the ray of light is incident on a spherical mirror through its centre of curvature; the reflected ray retracing its path and option (A) is correct.

Note:
To solve the given problem, one must be handy with the major concepts involving reflection and refraction through the plane and the spherical mirror. The spherical mirror is that mirror that is being shaped in the form of the sphere's cut piece. The spherical mirrors are basically of two types, namely the concave and convex mirror.