The figure shows two rays A and B reflected by a mirror and going as A′ and B′. The mirror is
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → plane
From the figure, the incident rays A and B are parallel, and the reflected rays A′ and B′ are also parallel to each other.
Option (1) plane — Correct. The normal to a plane mirror points the same way at every point. So parallel rays strike it at the same angle of incidence. By the law of reflection, they leave at the same angle of reflection. Hence the reflected rays stay parallel.
Option (2) convex — Incorrect. A convex mirror makes a parallel beam diverge, and the reflected rays appear to come from its focus. So A′ and B′ would spread apart.
Option (3) concave — Incorrect. A concave mirror makes a parallel beam converge to its focus, so A′ and B′ would meet.
Option (4) possibly a spherical mirror — Incorrect. The normal to a spherical mirror changes direction from point to point. So every spherical mirror turns a parallel beam into a converging or a diverging one. It never gives another parallel beam.