Introduction to Curved Mirrors

The Introduction to Curved Mirrors Video Tutorial explains what a spherical mirror is and identifies the two types (concave and convex), The terms associated with a curved mirrors "anatomy" are discussed. The manner in which light reflects off a curve mirror is explained.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What are curved mirrors?
2. What are the terms used to describe a curved mirror?
3. How does light reflect off a curved mirror?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Mirrors
The Physics Interactives is our simulation section.This section provides a playful way to learn. Alter a variable, experiment with a system, and interact with the simulation in order to find out how nature works. Our Optics Bench simulation allows you to explore the reflection of light by curved mirrors and the formation of images. The object location and height and the mirror focal length can be easily altered.

Tutorial on Reflection and the Ray Model of Light, Lesson 3
When you need to quickly review a topic and/or freshen up on a concept, the Tutorial section of our website is your go-to place. These two pages on curved mirrors make a good complement of this video.
The Anatomy of a Curved Mirror
Two Rules of Reflection for Concave Mirrors

Teacher Resources

Physics Interactives: Optics Bench - Mirrors
The Physics Interactives is our simulation section.This section provides a playful way to learn. Alter a variable, experiment with a system, and interact with the simulation in order to find out how nature works. Our Optics Bench simulation allows students to explore the reflection of light by curved mirrors and the formation of images. The object location and height and the mirror focal length can be easily altered. The simulation comes with an activity page.

Curriculum Corner, Reflection and Mirrors
Our Curriculum Corner includes in excess of 200 Think Sheets on discrete topics. Each Think Sheet takes a developmental approach to a topic. The following two Think Sheets would coordinate well with this video.
Curved Mirrors and the Law of Reflection
Spherical Mirrors

Tutorial on Reflection and the Ray Model of Light, Lesson 2
When you need to quickly review a topic and/or freshen up on a concept, The Tutorial section of our website is your go-to place. Many teachers include these as links for students on their course management sites. These two pages on curved mirrors make a good complement of this video.
The Anatomy of a Curved Mirror
Two Rules of Reflection for Concave Mirrors

Teacher Toolkits: Image Formation by Curved Mirrors
We love our Teacher Toolkits. We hope you do as well. They include a collection of links to vetted resources throughout the web that are standards-based and multi-media driven.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.