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ABOUT THE PHYSICAL TERMINALOGY OF MIRROR

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  1. Center of curvature: - The reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms from a part of the sphere. This sphere has a center and this point is called the center of curvature of the spherical mirror. It is represented by the letter C. Please note that the center of curvature is not a part of the mirror although it lies outside its reflecting surface. The center of curvature of a concave mirror lies in front of it. However, in case of a convex mirror  center of curvature lies behind the mirror as shown above in the figure.

  2. Radius of curvature: - The radius of curvature of the mirror is nothing but the radius of the sphere of which the reflecting surface of a spherical mirror forms a part. It is represented by the letter R.

  3. Pole: - For a spherical mirror, its center is called its pole and is represented by letter P as can be seen in figure.

  4. Principle axis: - The straight line passing through the pole and the center of curvature of a spherical mirror is called principal axis of the mirror. 

  5. Focus :- The principal focus of a spherical mirror is a point on the principal axis of the spherical mirror at which the light rays which are parallel to the principal axis actually meet (converge) or appear to diverge after reflection. 

  6. Focal length :- The distance between the centre of a lens or curved mirror and its focus.  So, R = 2f

  7. Aperture of the mirror: - It is defined as that portion of the mirror from which reflection of light actually takes place. Aperture of the mirror actually represents the size of the particular mirror.

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