A concave mirror has a reflecting surface that is curved inwards, facing towards the center of the sphere, while a convex mirror has a reflecting surface that is curved outwards.
What distinguishes a concave mirror from a convex mirror based on the curvature of their reflecting surfaces?
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The key distinction between a concave mirror and a convex mirror lies in the curvature of their reflecting surfaces. A concave mirror has an inward-curved surface, resembling the interior of a sphere. This concave curvature enables the mirror to converge light rays, allowing it to form both real and virtual images. In contrast, a convex mirror has an outward-curved surface, resembling the exterior of a sphere. This convex curvature causes the mirror to diverge light, resulting in virtual, upright, and diminished images. The direction of curvature determines whether a mirror is concave or convex, influencing its reflective characteristics.