Image Formation by Convex Mirror | Class 10 Light Chapter | Board Exam Special

Understand Image Formation by a Convex Mirror in the simplest and most visual way! In this video, we explain how convex mirrors form virtual, erect, and diminished images, why they are used in vehicle side mirrors, and how ray diagrams are constructed using the three golden rules of reflection. This lesson is perfect for Class 10 CBSE, NCERT students, and anyone preparing for board exams 2025. Easy language + clear explanation = Guaranteed concept clarity! 🔍 What You Will Learn ✔ What is a convex mirror? ✔ Why convex mirrors always form a virtual image ✔ Image formation at infinity ✔ Image formation for any object position ✔ Ray diagram rules made super simple ✔ Real-life examples and applications 🎯 Best For: CBSE Class 10 Students Class 8–10 Science Learners Teachers & Educators Competitive Exam Aspirants 📚 Related Topics Convex mirror ray diagram Image formation in spherical mirrors Optics Class 10 Light – Reflection and Refraction 📌 Don’t Forget to Watch Till the End for Full Concept Clarity! 👉 LIKE | SHARE | SUBSCRIBE For more conceptual and easy physics lessons, follow PHYSIX INSTITUTE A convex mirror is a spherical mirror whose reflecting surface bulges outward. It is also known as a diverging mirror because the light rays that strike its surface spread out after reflection. Due to this diverging property, convex mirrors always produce images with unique and predictable characteristics, making them widely useful in daily life such as in vehicle side mirrors, hallway safety mirrors, and ATM security domes. When parallel rays of light fall on a convex mirror, they appear to diverge from a point behind the mirror called the focus (F). Because the reflected rays do not actually meet, the focus of a convex mirror is virtual, and it lies behind the mirror. The center of curvature (C) is also located behind the mirror. The focal length is always considered positive as per sign conventions. A remarkable feature of the convex mirror is that no matter where the object is placed—near, far, or at infinity—the image formed remains virtual, erect, and diminished. This uniformity makes the study of image formation by convex mirrors simpler than concave mirrors. Case 1: Object at Infinity When an object is extremely far away from the mirror, such as sunlight or distant buildings, the incident rays are nearly parallel. After reflection, these rays diverge but appear to come from the focus behind the mirror. Therefore, the image formed is: Position: At the focus (F) Nature: Virtual and erect Size: Highly diminished, almost a point This is why distant objects appear smaller in vehicle side mirrors. Case 2: Object Between Infinity and Pole For any finite position of an object in front of a convex mirror—whether far away or close—the reflected rays always diverge and appear to originate from a point between the pole (P) and the focus (F). Hence, the image is formed between P and F. The characteristics of the image remain consistent: Position: Between P and F Nature: Virtual and erect Size: Diminished (smaller than the object) As the object moves closer to the mirror, the image size increases slightly, but it never becomes equal to or larger than the object. Ray Diagram Rules To construct the image, three standard rules are used: 1. A ray parallel to the principal axis appears to diverge from the focus after reflection. 2. A ray directed toward the center of curvature (C) appears to reflect back along the same path because the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. 3. A ray directed toward the pole (P) reflects by following the law of reflection, where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. Using these rules, the image can be accurately located. Conclusion A convex mirror always forms a virtual, erect, and diminished image regardless of the object’s position. The image appears behind the mirror between the pole and focus. Because convex mirrors provide a wide field of view, they are essential for safety and surveillance applications. Their predictable image characteristics make them both practical and easy to understand in the study of optics. #ConvexMirror#ImageFormation#PhysicsClass10#LightChapter#SphericalMirrors#ScienceExplained#PramodSir#PHYSIXINSTITUTE#CBSEPhysics#Class10Science#OpticsLesson#ScienceFacts#MirrorImage#VirtualImage#DivergingMirro