Question

State whether true or false.
A concave mirror always forms a real image.

Answer 1

Hint: A real image is a one which forms in front of the mirror whereas a virtual image is formed behind the mirror. The real image is always inverted and the virtual image is erect. In a concave lens, the rays go through the center of the lens without any refraction.

Complete step-by-step answer:
A given statement is false. A concave mirror also forms a virtual image when the object is kept between the principal focus and the pole of the mirror. The image is formed behind the mirror. Therefore, the image is virtual, erect, and magnified.
In all the other cases, the image formed by a concave mirror is real and inverted.
Hence, a concave mirror forms both real and virtual images depending on the object distances.

Additional information:
A spherical mirror is a part of a hollow sphere whose one side is reflecting and the other side is opaque. There are two types of spherical mirrors. Namely concave mirror and convex mirror.
Concave mirror: A spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface is towards the center of the sphere of which the mirror forms a part is called a concave mirror.
Convex mirror: A spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface is away from the center of the sphere of which the mirror forms a part is called a convex mirror.
Important terms related to mirror:
(i) Centre of curvature($c$): It is the center of the sphere of which the spherical mirror forms a part.
(ii) Radius of curvature($r$): It is the radius of the sphere of which the spherical mirror forms a part.
(iii) Pole ($p$): The geometric center of the spherical mirror.
(iv) Principal axis: It is the line joining the pole and center of curvature of the mirror.
(v) Focal length ($f$): The distance between the principal focus and pole of the mirror is called the focal length.

Note:
The concave mirror is used in torches, searchlights, and vehicle headlights to get powerful parallel beams of light.
It is used as a shaving mirror and makeup mirror to see a larger image of the face.
The dentists use a concave mirror to see a large image of the teeth of patients.