The focal length of a spherical mirror is equal to: |
A quarter of its radius of curvature Half of its radius of curvature Three quarters of its radius of curvature Equal to its radius of curvature |
Half of its radius of curvature |
The correct answer is Option (2) → Half of its radius of curvature For a spherical mirror (concave or convex), the focal length f is related to the radius of curvature R (distance from the pole to the center of curvature) by the formula: $f = \frac{R}{2}$ This is derived from the mirror formula and geometry: the focus is the midpoint between the pole and the center of curvature for paraxial rays.
Thus, the focal length is half the radius of curvature. |