concave mirror

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

Click image to enlarge
Curved mirror that reflects light from its inner surface, the curve being inward. It may be either circular or parabolic in section. A concave mirror converges parallel light rays inward to the point of principal focus. The image formed by a concave mirror is real (reduced and inverted) if the object is not too close to the mirror. A real image is formed at the point of convergence. If the object is close to the mirror then the image formed will be virtual, enlarged, and upright, as the rays of light cannot converge to a point.

Only a parabolic concave mirror has a true, single-point principal focus for parallel rays. For this reason, parabolic mirrors are used as reflectors to focus light in telescopes, or to focus microwaves in satellite communication systems. The reflector behind a spot lamp or car headlamp is parabolic.

The five points of the star represent the unity of farmers, workers, intellectuals, soldiers, and youth in establishing socialism. Red stands for revolution and bloodshed. Effective date: 2 July 1976. >>