Physics

Light and Mirrors

458 Questions

Light and mirrors questions cover the principles of reflection, image formation, and mirror magnification. Concepts include the properties of plane mirrors, the uses of concave mirrors in solar devices, and the behavior of light rays. These fundamentals are essential general science topics in major competitive examinations.

Plane mirror propertiesConcave mirror applicationsMirror magnification formulaLight reflection lawsImage formation

Light and Mirrors Questions

Multiple choice physics reflection of light at curved surfaces uses of curved mirrors uses of spherical mirror uses of spherical mirrors

Use of concave mirrors:

  1. for examining internal parts of ear, nose, mouth by physicians

  2. to focus sunlight to produce heat in solar furnaces

  3. as reflectors in headlights of vehicles, torch light to produce strong parallel beam of light

  4. all of the above

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Concave mirrors help to produce large image helps doctors to examine body parts and also are used to auto mobile mechanics to produce strong parallel beam of light during night. Concave mirrors are used to focus sunlight to produce heat from solar furnaces.

Multiple choice physics reflection of light at curved surfaces uses of curved mirrors uses of spherical mirror uses of spherical mirrors

Mirrors on the outside of the passenger side of the cars often contain a message that says something like. "Objects are closer than they appear." In the other words, the images seen in the mirror, although looking like the objects in other respects, appear to be further away than they actually are, because the images are the smaller than the objects.
What kind of mirror is being used in this case? 

  1. plane mirror

  2. convex mirror

  3. concave mirror

  4. The mirror could be concave or convex.

  5. The mirror could be flat or concave.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Convex mirrors are used in this case.

Since the mirrors are bend outwards, a large range in area to view is covered to see objects behind in cars.
The magnification of the objects is lesser than one for distant objects for convex mirrors. Hence the objects appear farther away than they actually are.

Multiple choice physics reflection of light at curved surfaces uses of curved mirrors uses of spherical mirror uses of spherical mirrors

Mirrors on the outside of the passenger side of cars often contain a message that says something like, "Objects are closer than they appear." In other words, the image seen in the mirror, although looking like the objects in other respects, appear to be further away than they actually are, because the images are smaller than the objects.
What kind of mirror is being used in this case?

  1. Plane mirror

  2. Convex mirror

  3. Concave mirror

  4. The mirror could be concave or convex

  5. The mirror could be flat or concave

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The mirror used is a convex mirror. 
Since it forms virtual and 'diminished' images, the objects appear to be distant in the mirror than they actually are.

Also the outward curvature of the mirror makes it cover more area to view.

Multiple choice physics reflection of light at curved surfaces uses of curved mirrors uses of spherical mirror uses of spherical mirrors

State whether true or false : 

Convex mirrors enable the driver to view much larger area than would be possible with a plane mirror.

  1. True

  2. False

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Convex mirror give an erect ,virtual,full size image of distant object with a wider field of view. Thus,convex mirrors enables the driver to view much larger area than would be possible with a plane mirror.

Multiple choice physics reflection of light at curved surfaces uses of curved mirrors uses of spherical mirror uses of spherical mirrors

Magnification produced by a rear view mirror fitted in vehicles:

  1. is less than one

  2. is more than one

  3. is equal to one

  4. can be more than or less than one depending upon the position of the object in front of it

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

We know, magnification(M)$=\dfrac{\text {height  of  image}\ (h _i)}{\text{height  of  object}\ (h _o)}$
If the magnification will be 1 or more than 1, then the height of image will be equal or greater than the height of object. So, only a part of the image will be viewed through the possible aperture of the mirror. This situation will not provide the driver with the detailed idea of motion of vehicles following.
Hence, Magnification produced by a rear view mirror fitted in vehicles is less than one.