📌 How to Use
First read the questions carefully using the Read section. Use the Details button to understand concepts clearly. After completing reading, click Practice Quiz to test yourself.
📘 Study MCQs
Q1. Which type of mirror has a reflecting surface that curves inwards?
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• Convex mirror
• Spherical mirror
Answer: Concave mirror
A concave mirror is a spherical mirror whose reflecting surface is curved inwards, like the inside of a spoon.
Q2. The focal length of a spherical mirror is the distance between the pole and the _________.
• Centre of curvature
• Image
• Object
• Focus
Answer: Focus
The focal point (focus) is the point where parallel rays of light converge or appear to converge after reflection. Its distance from the pole is the focal length.
Q3. Which mirror always forms a virtual, erect, and diminished image regardless of object position?
• Concave mirror
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• None of these
Answer: Convex mirror
A convex mirror, with its outward curve, always produces an image that is virtual, erect, and smaller than the object.
Q4. A concave mirror can form a real and inverted image. When does this happen?
• When object is very close to the mirror
• When object is at infinity
• When object is placed between the pole and the focus
• When object is placed beyond the focus
Answer: When object is placed beyond the focus
For a concave mirror, a real and inverted image is formed when the object is placed anywhere beyond the focal point (between F and C, at C, or beyond C).
Q5. What type of image is formed by a concave mirror when the object is placed between the focus (F) and the pole (P)?
• Real and inverted
• Real and enlarged
• Virtual and erect
• Virtual and inverted
Answer: Virtual and erect
When an object is placed between the focus and the pole of a concave mirror, the reflected rays diverge, and a virtual, erect, and enlarged image is formed behind the mirror.
Q6. The image formed by a convex mirror is always __________.
• Real and inverted
• Virtual and inverted
• Virtual and erect
• Real and erect
Answer: Virtual and erect
Due to the diverging nature of a convex mirror, the reflected rays never actually meet, resulting in an image that is always virtual and erect.
Q7. Which mirror is used as a shaving or makeup mirror?
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Concave mirror
• Both convex and concave
Answer: Concave mirror
When the face (object) is placed between the focus and the pole of a concave mirror, it produces a virtual, erect, and magnified image, useful for shaving or applying makeup.
Q8. The point at the center of the spherical mirror’s surface is called the _________.
• Focus
• Centre of Curvature
• Pole
• Radius
Answer: Pole
The pole is the geometric center point of the reflecting surface of the spherical mirror.
Q9. Where should an object be placed in front of a concave mirror to get an image of the same size?
• At the focus (F)
• At the centre of curvature (C)
• Between F and P
• Beyond C
Answer: At the centre of curvature (C)
When an object is placed at the centre of curvature (C) of a concave mirror, the image formed is real, inverted, and of the same size as the object.
Q10. Which mirror is used as a side-view mirror in vehicles?
• Concave mirror
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Any spherical mirror
Answer: Convex mirror
Convex mirrors are used because they provide a wider field of view, allowing the driver to see more traffic behind, even though the images are diminished.
Q11. For a concave mirror, if the object is at infinity, where is the image formed?
• At the focus (F)
• At the centre of curvature (C)
• Behind the mirror
• Between F and C
Answer: At the focus (F)
When parallel rays from an object at infinity fall on a concave mirror, they converge and meet at the principal focus after reflection, forming a point-sized, real, and inverted image.
Q12. A convex mirror forms an image that is always __________ than the object.
• Larger
• Same size
• Diminished
• Inverted
Answer: Diminished
A convex mirror always produces an image that is smaller (diminished) in size compared to the actual object.
Q13. Which mirror is used by dentists to see an enlarged image of teeth?
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Concave mirror
• All of these
Answer: Concave mirror
Dentists use a concave mirror to reflect light onto the tooth. When the tooth is within the focal length, the mirror produces a magnified, erect, and virtual image.
Q14. The radius of curvature (R) of a spherical mirror is related to its focal length (f) by __________.
• R = f/2
• R = 2f
• R = f
• R = 3f
Answer: R = 2f
For a spherical mirror, the radius of curvature is twice the focal length. Mathematically, R = 2f.
Q15. The image formed by a concave mirror can be projected on a screen only when it is __________.
• Virtual
• Erect
• Real
• Magnified
Answer: Real
A real image is formed when light rays actually converge at a point. Such an image can be captured on a screen, unlike a virtual image.
Q16. Which type of mirror is used in solar cookers?
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Concave mirror
• Any mirror
Answer: Concave mirror
A concave mirror converges sunlight to its focus, producing intense heat at that point, which is used in solar cookers to cook food.
Q17. The center of the hollow sphere of which the spherical mirror is a part is called the __________.
• Pole
• Focus
• Centre of Curvature
• Radius
Answer: Centre of Curvature
The centre of curvature is the center of the imaginary sphere of which the mirror is a small part.
Q18. When an object is placed at the focus (F) of a concave mirror, the image formed is __________.
• Real, inverted, and same size
• Real, inverted, and highly enlarged
• Virtual and erect
• At infinity
Answer: At infinity
When an object is placed at the focus of a concave mirror, the reflected rays become parallel. The image is formed at infinity and is real, inverted, and highly enlarged.
Q19. Which mirror is used in shops for security and surveillance?
• Concave mirror
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• All of these
Answer: Convex mirror
Convex mirrors provide a wide-angle view of the store, allowing a single person to monitor a large area for security.
Q20. The reflecting surface of a convex mirror bulges __________.
• Inwards
• Outwards
• Is flat
• Is irregular
Answer: Outwards
A convex mirror has a reflecting surface that curves outward, like the back of a spoon.
Q21. For a concave mirror, an enlarged image is formed when the object is placed __________.
• Beyond C
• At C
• Between F and C
• Between F and P
Answer: Between F and P
When an object is placed between the focus (F) and the pole (P) of a concave mirror, the image formed is virtual, erect, and enlarged.
Q22. Which mirror is used as a reflector in torchlights?
• Convex mirror
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• None of these
Answer: Concave mirror
A concave mirror is used in a torch to reflect light from the bulb (placed at its focus) into a parallel beam of light.
Q23. A virtual image formed by a spherical mirror is always __________.
• Inverted
• Erect
• Real
• Smaller
Answer: Erect
A virtual image cannot be projected on a screen and is always upright (erect) relative to the object.
Q24. Which mirror is used in headlights of vehicles?
• Convex mirror
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• All are used
Answer: Concave mirror
The bulb is placed at the focus of the concave reflector in headlights. This produces a powerful, parallel beam of light that illuminates the road ahead.
Q25. The line passing through the centre of curvature and the pole of a mirror is called the __________.
• Focal length
• Principal axis
• Radius
• Normal
Answer: Principal axis
The principal axis is an imaginary straight line passing through the pole and the centre of curvature of a spherical mirror.
Q26. Where is the image formed by a convex mirror located?
• In front of the mirror
• At the focus
• Behind the mirror
• At the centre of curvature
Answer: Behind the mirror
Since a convex mirror always forms a virtual image, the image appears to be formed behind the mirror where the reflected rays appear to diverge from.
Q27. Which mirror can produce both real and virtual images?
• Plane mirror only
• Convex mirror only
• Concave mirror only
• Both concave and convex
Answer: Concave mirror only
Depending on the object’s position, a concave mirror can produce real images (object beyond F) or virtual images (object between F and P). A convex mirror only produces virtual images.
Q28. The focal length of a convex mirror is taken as __________.
• Positive
• Negative
• Zero
• Infinite
Answer: Positive
By sign convention, the focal length of a convex mirror is considered positive because its focus is behind the mirror, on the virtual side.
Q29. A concave mirror is also called a __________ mirror.
• Diverging
• Converging
• Plane
• Spherical
Answer: Converging
A concave mirror converges parallel rays of light to a point, hence it is called a converging mirror.
Q30. Which mirror is used in blind corner mirrors on roads?
• Concave mirror
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Any mirror
Answer: Convex mirror
Convex mirrors are installed at blind corners to provide a wider field of view, helping drivers see traffic from the intersecting road.
Q31. When an object is placed between the focus (F) and centre of curvature (C) of a concave mirror, the image is formed __________.
• Beyond C
• Between F and C
• Behind the mirror
• At C
Answer: Beyond C
For this object position, the image formed by a concave mirror is real, inverted, and larger than the object, and it is located beyond the centre of curvature.
Q32. Which of these is NOT a use of a concave mirror?
• Shaving mirror
• Dentist’s mirror
• Security mirror
• Headlight reflector
Answer: Security mirror
Security mirrors typically use convex mirrors for a wider view. Concave mirrors are not suitable for this purpose as they provide a narrowed field.
Q33. A convex mirror is also called a __________ mirror.
• Converging
• Diverging
• Magnifying
• Focusing
Answer: Diverging
A convex mirror diverges parallel rays of light, making them appear to come from a single point behind the mirror, hence it is a diverging mirror.
Q34. The image formed by a plane mirror is __________.
• Real and erect
• Virtual and erect
• Real and inverted
• Virtual and inverted
Answer: Virtual and erect
A plane mirror always forms an image that is virtual (behind the mirror), erect, and of the same size as the object.
Q35. Which mirror is used in telescopes?
• Convex mirror
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• All of these
Answer: Concave mirror
Large concave mirrors are used in reflecting telescopes to collect and focus light from distant celestial objects.
Q36. The focal length of a concave mirror is taken as __________.
• Positive
• Negative
• Zero
• Infinite
Answer: Negative
By sign convention, the focal length of a concave mirror is considered negative because its focus is in front of the mirror, on the real side.
Q37. For any spherical mirror, the angle of incidence is __________ the angle of reflection.
• Less than
• Greater than
• Equal to
• Double of
Answer: Equal to
This is the law of reflection. For any mirror, the angle at which a ray strikes the surface (angle of incidence) equals the angle at which it reflects (angle of reflection).
Q38. Which mirror is used as a rear-view mirror in cars and motorcycles?
• Concave mirror
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Sometimes concave
Answer: Convex mirror
Convex mirrors are preferred as rear-view mirrors because they give a wider view of the traffic behind, even though they make objects appear smaller and farther.
Q39. When an object is moved from infinity towards the pole of a concave mirror, the size of the image __________.
• Decreases
• Increases
• Remains same
• First decreases then increases
Answer: Increases
As the object comes closer from infinity to the pole of a concave mirror, the image size increases. It starts from a point at F, becomes larger, and finally becomes virtual and magnified.
Q40. A real image is always __________.
• Erect
• Virtual
• Inverted
• Formed behind the mirror
Answer: Inverted
Real images formed by spherical mirrors are always inverted relative to the object. Virtual images are always erect.
Q41. Which mirror is used in solar furnaces?
• Plane mirror
• Convex mirror
• Concave mirror
• Any mirror
Answer: Concave mirror
Large concave mirrors are used in solar furnaces to concentrate sunlight onto a small area, generating extremely high temperatures.
Q42. The relation between focal length (f) and radius of curvature (R) for a convex mirror is __________.
• f = R
• f = R/2
• f = 2R
• R = f/2
Answer: f = R/2
The relation R = 2f (or f = R/2) holds true for both concave and convex spherical mirrors.
Q43. A diminished, virtual, and erect image is characteristic of which mirror?
• Concave mirror for object beyond C
• Concave mirror for object between F and P
• Convex mirror for any object position
• Plane mirror
Answer: Convex mirror for any object position
For all positions of a real object, a convex mirror always produces an image that is diminished, virtual, and erect.
Q44. Which of these is a use of a convex mirror?
• Magnifying glass
• Shaving mirror
• Street light reflectors
• Security at blind turns
Answer: Security at blind turns
Convex mirrors are commonly used at blind turns and in driveways to provide a wide-angle view and prevent accidents.
Q45. The focal point of a convex mirror is located __________.
• In front of the mirror
• Behind the mirror
• At the pole
• At the centre of curvature
Answer: Behind the mirror
For a convex mirror, the reflected rays diverge but appear to come from a point behind the mirror. This point is the focal point (focus).
Q46. For a concave mirror, if the object is placed at the centre of curvature (C), the image is formed __________.
• At F
• At C
• Between F and C
• At infinity
Answer: At C
When an object is placed at the centre of curvature (C) of a concave mirror, the image is also formed at C. It is real, inverted, and of the same size.
Q47. Which mirror is used in floodlights?
• Convex mirror
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• Any mirror
Answer: Concave mirror
Floodlights use concave mirrors to reflect light from a source placed at the focus, creating a broad and intense beam of light.
Q48. The image formed by a concave mirror is virtual and erect only when the object is placed __________.
• At F
• At C
• Beyond C
• Between P and F
Answer: Between P and F
The only situation where a concave mirror produces a virtual and erect image is when the object is located between the pole (P) and the principal focus (F).
Q49. Which mirror has a wider field of view?
• Plane mirror
• Concave mirror
• Convex mirror
• All have same field
Answer: Convex mirror
The outward curve of a convex mirror allows it to reflect light from a larger area, giving it a wider field of view compared to plane or concave mirrors.
Q50. A concave mirror of focal length 10 cm has its radius of curvature equal to __________.
• 5 cm
• 10 cm
• 20 cm
• 40 cm
Answer: 20 cm
Using the formula R = 2f, for a focal length (f) of 10 cm, the radius of curvature (R) is 2 * 10 cm = 20 cm.