Page 164 - Physics_Form_2

Physics for Secondary Schools

Security and investigation: Due
to their wide field of view, convex
mirrors are used to investigate
business establishments and security
installations. An example of a convex
mirror employed for security purposes
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is illustrated in Figure 4.36.

Figure 4.37

Dentist’s mirror: A concave mirror helps
the dentist to focus light on the tooth to be
examined inside the mouth. Figure 4.38
shows a dentist mirror in use to examine a
tooth.

Figure 4.36: A security convex mirror in a
shop

Uses of concave mirrors
Concave mirrors are helpful because
of their ability to produce enlarged
images, focus faint light and produce
a parallel beam of light. The following
are some applications of concave
mirrors: Figure 4.38: A dentist mirror in use

Headlights in a car: A powerful light Shaving mirrors: A concave mirror produces
source is positioned at the focal point a magnified and upright image of the object
of a concave mirror in a small space at when the object is positioned between the
the back of a headlight. Any light that principal focus and the pole. Thus, concave
strikes the mirror from the focus will mirrors are used as shaving mirrors, creating
be reflected parallel to the axis of the an enlarged reflection of the face when it is
concave mirror. This creates an intense held within the focus of the mirror. A concave
beam of light in front of the car, as mirror, as shown in Figure 4.39, serves as an
illustrated in Figure 4.37. example of a shaving mirror.

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Student’s Book Form Two

Physics Form 2 Final.indd 158 25/10/2025 10:27