Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Geometrical Optics
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Geometrical Optics
As shown in the figure, two rays A and B are reflected by a mirror...
As shown in the figure, two rays and are reflected by a mirror and travel as and . The mirror


Options
- Ais convex
- Bmay be any spherical mirror
- Cis plane
- Dis concave
Correct answer
C. is plane
Step-by-step solution
The incident rays and are parallel to each other.
After reflection, the corresponding reflected rays and are also parallel to each other.
For parallel incident rays to remain parallel after reflection, the normals at the points of incidence must be parallel. This is only possible if the reflecting surface is flat.
In the case of spherical mirrors (concave or convex), the normals at different points are not parallel, so a beam of parallel rays will either converge or diverge after reflection.
Therefore, the mirror must be a plane mirror.
After reflection, the corresponding reflected rays and are also parallel to each other.
For parallel incident rays to remain parallel after reflection, the normals at the points of incidence must be parallel. This is only possible if the reflecting surface is flat.
In the case of spherical mirrors (concave or convex), the normals at different points are not parallel, so a beam of parallel rays will either converge or diverge after reflection.
Therefore, the mirror must be a plane mirror.