The incident rays fall on the mirror along the normal to the reflecting surface, ensuring that the laws of reflection are followed, and the light is reflected back along the same path.
Why do light rays directed through the centre of curvature follow the same path after reflection?
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Light rays directed through the center of curvature follow the same path after reflection due to the principle of symmetry in spherical mirrors. The center of curvature is the midpoint of the mirror’s spherical surface, and any ray directed toward it reflects back along the same path. This is because, at the center of curvature, the incident ray approaches the mirror surface normal (perpendicular) to the point of reflection. According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. As a result, the reflected ray retraces the path of the incident ray, maintaining symmetry and consistent reflection.