A mirror is a typical structure that reflects light to form a real or virtual image. When an object is placed in front of a mirror, the object’s image is reflected in the mirror. The object emits the incident rays and the reflected rays from the image. Based on how light engages with the images, they are classified as real or virtual. This article will provide you with a piece of comprehensive knowledge on the differences between convex and concave mirrors.

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Concave Mirrors

When the outer surface of a hollow sphere is painted, and the inner surface is cut into some parts, it becomes a mirror, with the inner surface reflecting light. As a result, you’ll have a concave mirror.

• A concave mirror, also known as a converging mirror, is a mirror that is bent inwards in the middle
• Looking at this mirror will make us feel like we are looking into a cave
• When dealing with a concave mirror, we usually use the mirror equation

Concave Mirrors: Characteristics

• After reflection, light converges at a point where it strikes and reflects from the concave mirror reflecting surface
• As a result, it’s also known as a converging mirror
• A magnified and virtual image is observed when the converging mirror is placed very close to the object

Concave Mirrors: Uses

• Concave mirrors are most commonly used in shaving mirrors because they have reflective and curved surfaces and when the concave mirror is held closer to the face during shaving, it creates an enlarged and erect image of the face
• Ophthalmoscope concave mirror: These mirrors are used in optical instruments such as ophthalmoscopes for treatment

Convex Mirror

The sphere’s outer surface becomes the reflecting surface if the hollow sphere’s cut part is painted from the inside. A convex mirror is a name given to this type of mirror. A convex mirror is a spherical mirror with a curved outwards reflecting surface. The back of the mirror is shaded, allowing reflection only from the bulged outward portion. The bulged outwards surface of the spoon can be assumed to be a convex mirror.

Convex Mirror: Characteristics

• A diverging mirror is also a convex or diverging mirror because it diverges light when it hits its reflecting surface
• Convex mirrors always form or observe virtual, erect, and diminished images, regardless of the distance between the object and the mirror

Convex Mirror: Uses

• Convex mirrors are used inside buildings to allow people to see around corners and avoid colliding
• They are used in large offices, stores, and hospitals
• Convex mirrors are commonly used as rear-view mirrors in automobiles and vehicles because of their ability to diverge light beams and create virtual images
• Convex mirrors are primarily used in the manufacture of magnifying glasses
• Two convex mirrors are placed back to back in industries to a magnifying glass

Difference between the Convex and Concave Mirror

Concave mirror	Convex mirror
A spherical mirror with an inwardly curved reflection surface is a concave mirror	A convex mirror is a spherical mirror with a reflecting surface that bulges outwardly
The term “converging mirror” refers to a concave mirror with a converging character	As a result of its diverging nature, a convex mirror is referred to as a diverging mirror
The concave mirror’s focus and centre of curvature are in front of the mirror	In the case of a convex mirror, the focus and centre of curvature lie on the backside
Because the focus is on the front side, the concave mirror’s focal length is positive	Because the focus is on the backside, the convex mirror’s focal length is negative
Image projection on a screen is possible using a concave mirror	Image projection on the screen is not possible due to the convex mirror

Conclusion 

Spherical mirrors come in two shapes: concave and convex. Concave mirrors have an inward curvature in the centre that reflects light inward to concentrate it on a single focal point. Depending on the distance between the mirror and the item, concave mirrors can produce various images. The centre of a convex mirror bulges outward, allowing light to fall directly on the item. Because it can diverge the rays that fall on its surface after reflection, it’s also known as a diverging mirror. This refers to the fact that when parallel rays collide with the reflected surface of a convex mirror, they diverge.