Question

 The side view mirror of a car is:
A. Plane mirror
B. Concave mirror
C. Convex mirror
D. Converging mirror

Answer 1

Hint: The side view mirror must have a wider field of vision, so that the driver can see a wider view of the back of the car. The image formed must be erect to make viewing backside comfortable for the driver. Also, the image formed should not be larger than the object itself.

Complete step by step answer:
 Side view mirror of a car is used to view the road and traffic behind the car. For fulfilling its purpose the mirror should have a wider field of view. Convex mirrors are used as side view mirrors as they have a wider field of view. Convex mirrors form virtual, erect and diminished images of the object placed in front of it. All these characteristics of a convex mirror are ideal for a side view mirror. The image formed is diminished and erect ensuring a wider field of vision and clearer image. A con of using a convex mirror is that the distance of image from the mirror is not equal to the distance of the object from the mirror.
If a plane mirror is used as a convex mirror then the distance of image from the mirror will be equal to distance of object from the mirror. But the field of view of a plane mirror is very less as compared to that of a convex mirror.
So, an overall convex mirror is best for a side view mirror.
Note: Convex mirror forms a virtual image of the objects in front of it meaning the light rays after reflection do not actually meet. They just appear to be coming from behind the mirror when viewed by our eye.