a concave mirror is also called a converging mirror. explain why
A concave mirror is indeed also known as a converging mirror because of its ability to converge or bring together parallel rays of light that fall on it. This phenomenon occurs due to the curved shape of the concave mirror, which bulges inward like a cave.
To understand why a concave mirror is referred to as a converging mirror, it is helpful to consider the behavior of light rays when they interact with this type of mirror. When parallel rays of light strike a concave mirror, they will reflect off the mirror surface and converge towards a single point known as the focal point.
The focal point is a significant feature of concave mirrors and is located along the principal axis of the mirror, halfway between the mirror's center of curvature and the mirror surface. The distance between the focal point and the mirror’s surface is known as the focal length.
The shape of a concave mirror causes the rays of light to reflect inwards, converging towards the focal point. This convergence property of the concave mirror makes it useful for various applications, such as focusing light in optical instruments like telescopes or creating magnified images in reflecting telescopes or shaving mirrors.
Hence, due to its ability to bring parallel rays of light together, a concave mirror is commonly referred to as a converging mirror.