Curved Mirrors
19 Grade 9 Integrated Science questions on Curved Mirrors, with worked marking schemes. 19 questions are available on this topic in full.
Question 1
1 markA solar cooker uses a concave mirror to
A. reflect light away from food
B. focus sunlight to a point to produce heat
C. spread sunlight evenly
D. reduce the temperature
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 2
4 marks(a) State two differences between a concave mirror and a convex mirror in terms of their shape and the type of image they form of a distant object. (2 marks)
(b) State one application (use) of a concave mirror and one application of a convex mirror. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) A concave mirror curves inwards (its reflecting surface is the inside of the curve) and converges (brings together) light rays; for a distant object it forms a real, inverted and diminished image. A convex mirror curves outwards (its reflecting surface is the outside of the curve) and diverges (spreads out) light rays; it always forms a virtual, upright and diminished image. (b) Concave mirror: used as a shaving/make-up mirror, in car headlamps/torch reflectors, in dentists' mirrors, or in reflecting telescopes. Convex mirror: used as a driving (rear-view/side) mirror, as security mirrors in shops, or at sharp road bends, because it gives a wide field of view.
Question 3
1 markThe image formed by a convex mirror is always
A. real, inverted and larger
B. virtual, upright and smaller than the object
C. virtual, inverted and larger
D. real, upright and same size
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 4
1 markA car side mirror uses a curved mirror that always forms small, upright images and gives a wider field of view. Which type of mirror is used?
A. Plane mirror
B. Convex mirror
C. Parabolic mirror
D. Concave mirror
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 5
4 marks(a) State two differences between the image formed by a concave mirror when an object is placed very close to it and the image formed by a convex mirror. (2 marks)
(b) Give one practical use of a convex mirror and explain why it is suitable for that use. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) When an object is very close to a concave mirror (between the pole and the focus) the image is virtual, upright and magnified (larger than the object); a convex mirror always forms a virtual, upright image that is diminished (smaller than the object). So the differences are: the concave mirror magnifies/enlarges the image while the convex mirror diminishes it, and the concave mirror's field of view is narrow while the convex mirror gives a wide field of view. (b) A convex mirror is used as a driving/side mirror in vehicles (or a security mirror in shops); it is suitable because it always gives an upright, diminished image and has a wide field of view, allowing the driver to see a large area behind the vehicle.
Question 6
1 markA concave mirror is used in a torch to
A. spread light in all directions
B. absorb light
C. produce a parallel beam of light
D. reduce the brightness of light
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 7
1 markThe point on the principal axis of a concave mirror where rays parallel to the axis converge after reflection is called the:
A. Radius of curvature
B. Principal focus
C. Pole
D. Centre of curvature
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 8
1 markAn object is placed very far away (at infinity) from a concave mirror. The image formed is:
A. Virtual and diminished behind the mirror
B. Real, inverted and very small, formed at the focus
C. Real, upright and the same size
D. Virtual, upright and magnified
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 9
1 markA concave mirror has a radius of curvature of 20 cm. What is its focal length?
A. 5 cm
B. 10 cm
C. 40 cm
D. 20 cm
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 10
1 markA shopkeeper installs a mirror at the corner of the shop to watch a wide area and deter theft. Which property of a convex mirror makes it suitable for this?
A. It converges light to a point
B. It gives a wide field of view
C. It forms real images
D. It magnifies distant objects
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 11
4 marksState two uses of concave mirrors and two uses of convex mirrors.
(4 marks)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 12
4 marksA learner held a shiny spoon close to her face and saw an upright, magnified image of herself.
(a) State the type of curved-mirror surface that produced this image. (1 mark)
(b) Give two practical uses of concave mirrors and one practical use of a convex mirror. (3 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) The inner (curved-in) surface of the spoon acts as a concave mirror; the upright, magnified image was produced by the concave surface. (1 mark) (b) Concave mirror uses (any two): as a shaving/make-up mirror to give a magnified upright image; as a dentist's mirror; as the reflector in car headlamps/torches/searchlights to produce a parallel beam. Convex mirror use (one): as a car side/rear-view mirror or shop security mirror because it gives a wide field of view. (3 marks)
Question 13
4 marksCurved mirrors are used in many devices. (a) State one everyday use of a concave mirror and one everyday use of a convex mirror. (2 marks) (b) Give a reason why a convex mirror is chosen for use as a driving (side) mirror. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Concave: shaving/make-up mirror, dentist's mirror, torch/headlight reflector, solar concentrator (any 1); Convex: car side/driving mirror, security/shop surveillance mirror, blind-corner road mirror (any 1). (b) A convex mirror gives a wider field of view (1) and always forms an upright, diminished image so the driver sees more of the road behind (1).
Question 14
1 markA concave mirror curves
A. flat like a plane mirror
B. inward like the inside of a spoon
C. outward like the back of a spoon
D. in a zigzag pattern
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 15
1 markFor a concave mirror, the distance from the pole of the mirror to its centre of curvature is known as the:
A. Radius of curvature
B. Focal length
C. Principal axis
D. Aperture
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 16
1 markA convex mirror is commonly used as a
A. telescope mirror
B. vehicle side mirror
C. magnifying mirror
D. torch reflector
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 17
1 markA dentist uses a curved mirror to obtain a magnified, upright image of a tooth when the tooth is held close to the mirror. The mirror used is:
A. Convex mirror
B. Plane mirror
C. Diverging mirror
D. Concave mirror
(1 mark)
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Create a free account to see itQuestion 18
4 marks(a) Name the two types of curved mirrors. (2 marks)
(b) State one practical use of a concave mirror and one practical use of a convex mirror. (2 marks)
(4 marks)
Marking scheme
(a) Concave (converging) mirror and convex (diverging) mirror. (b) Concave mirror use (any one): as a shaving/make-up mirror to give a magnified image; as a dentist's mirror; as a reflector in car headlamps/torches/searchlights. Convex mirror use (any one): as a driving (rear-view/side) mirror in vehicles; as a security mirror in shops; at blind corners/road bends, because it gives a wide field of view.
Question 19
1 markThe centre of curvature of a curved mirror is
A. the point where light passes through
B. always behind the mirror
C. the surface of the mirror
D. the centre of the sphere of which the mirror is a part
(1 mark)
Marking scheme for this question
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