Light Reflection and Refraction
Light Reflection and Refraction > Ask Alfie
Hi
Why does ray of light passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror retraces its path?
A ray of light passing through the centre of curvature of a concave mirror retraces its path (gets reflected along the same path), because as the ray of light passes through centre of curvature of a concave mirror it strikes the mirror along the normal i.e. it incidences on to the mirror at 90 degree. Hence the incident ray coincides with the normal.
Therefore angle of incidence = 0 so, as we know according to law of reflection angle of reflection = 0, hence the angle of reflection too become zero degree, thus ray of light retraces its path. Image: Ray diagram of ray of light passing through the centre of curvature which strikes the mirror normally and reflects back in the same path.
Therefore angle of incidence = 0 so, as we know according to law of reflection angle of reflection = 0, hence the angle of reflection too become zero degree, thus ray of light retraces its path. Image: Ray diagram of ray of light passing through the centre of curvature which strikes the mirror normally and reflects back in the same path.
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