Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.

Convex Mirror Characteristics

1. A convex mirror is also called a diverging mirror. This is because the mirror diverges the rays when they hit the reflective surface.
2. Virtual, upright, and reduced images are always created with a convex mirror, regardless of the distance between the mirror and the object.

Image formation by convex mirrors

The image produced by a convex mirror is always upright and virtual, regardless of the position of the object. In this section, we will look at the types of images produced by convex mirrors.

• Placing an object at infinity creates a virtual image at the focal point. The image size is much smaller than the object size.
• When an object is placed at a finite distance from the mirror, a virtual image is formed between the pole and the focal point of the convex mirror. The image size is smaller than the object size.

Hence, the focal length of the given convex mirror is 16 cm.

Summary:

Find the focal length of a convex mirror whose radius of curvature is 32 cm.

The focal length of a convex mirror having a radius of curvature is 32 cm is 16 cm. The focal length is half of the radius of curvature and can be represented using the formula R = 2f.