Name the type of mirror used in the following situations: (i) Headlights of a car (ii) Rear-view mirror of a vehicle (iii) Solar furnace. Support your answer with reason.
Name the type of mirror used in the following situations: (i) Headlights of a car (ii) Rear-view mirror of a vehicle (iii) Solar furnace. Support your answer with reason.
Official answer
The types of mirrors used in the given situations along with their reasons are:
(i) Headlights of a car:
- Type of Mirror: Concave mirror
- Reason: The source of light (bulb) is placed at the principal focus of the concave mirror. The reflected rays emerge as a powerful, parallel beam of light, which travels long distances to illuminate the road clearly.
(ii) Rear-view mirror of a vehicle:
- Type of Mirror: Convex mirror
- Reason: Convex mirrors always form an erect and diminished image of objects behind the vehicle. Because they are curved outwards, they provide a much wider field of view, allowing the driver to monitor a larger area of traffic than a plane mirror would allow.
(iii) Solar furnace:
- Type of Mirror: Concave mirror (large-sized)
- Reason: Concave mirrors are converging mirrors. When parallel rays of sunlight fall on a large concave mirror, they are converged at its principal focus. This concentration of solar energy at a single point generates extremely high temperatures required for solar furnaces.
Marking scheme
- 1.Identifying concave mirror for headlights with correct reason: 1 Mark
- 2.Identifying convex mirror for rear-view with correct reason: 1 Mark
- 3.Identifying concave mirror for solar furnace with correct reason: 1 Mark
Hint
Think about whether you need to converge light to a point, project a parallel beam, or get a wide-angle erect view.
Quick oral answer
Why can't we use a concave mirror as a rear-view mirror in cars? Answer: A concave mirror forms inverted images for distant objects, which would make it impossible for a driver to safely judge the orientation and movement of vehicles behind them.
Common mistakes
- 1.Writing 'convex mirror' for headlights because it spreads light, whereas headlights actually need a focused parallel beam (concave mirror).
- 2.Failing to mention 'wider field of view' or 'erect image' when explaining the rear-view mirror.
Analysis and explanation
This question tests the practical application of the reflecting properties of spherical mirrors. Concave mirrors are converging in nature, making them ideal for focusing light (solar furnace) or projecting parallel beams (headlights). Convex mirrors are diverging, which always produces a virtual, erect, and diminished image, thereby expanding the field of view for drivers.
Interesting facts
A large convex mirror is installed on the walls of Agra Fort so that visitors can see a complete, erect, and clear view of the distant Taj Mahal!
Question details
Q20 of 41 questions
- Board
- CBSE
- Class
- Class 10
- Subject
- Science
- Year
- 2012
- Section
- Section A
- Marks
- 3
- Type
- Short Answer
- Chapter
- Light — Reflection and Refraction
- Topic
- Spherical Mirrors
- Bloom's level
- Understanding
- Syllabus topic
- Reflection of light by spherical mirrors; Mirror formula; Applications of mirrors
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Frequently asked questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2012?
This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Light — Reflection and Refraction" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Spherical Mirrors" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section A in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2012 paper.