Different Types of Mirrors & How To Use Them
The mirrors are very present in our lives. We have them at home, in the car , at work but they are not all the same and they do not have the same shape. Let's see below, the different types of mirrors, shapes and what are their uses.
Types of mirrors, shapes and what are their uses
Mainly, there are two main types of mirrors. One is the flat mirror and the other is the curved mirror . So now we are going to explain what the differences are between the two and how inside the curved mirror, we find two others: the convex and the concave.
1. Flat mirror
The plane mirror or plane / vegetable sinusoidal mirror is a smooth surface, the specular reflection will occur when the light passes, which means that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection of the normal line .
When the eyes receive this light from the mirror, it appears that the object is behind the mirror . This type of image is not actually real and is called a virtual image. It is virtual because the light waves do not actually pass through that point, and we can only see it but not touch it. The distance between the mirror and the object is called the object distance and the distance between the virtual image and the mirror is the image distance. In the plane mirror, the distance of the object is equal to the distance of the image, and that is why in geometry we have the term mirror symmetry.
This is a type of mirror that we can find for example in the changing rooms of clothing stores, in hairdressers or also, the tall and flat mirrors that many people place in their bedroom to see how their clothes fit (or for dressing rooms ). It can also be found on car rear view mirrors.
2. Curved mirror
For the curved mirror, there are two types: concave mirror and convex mirror. A curved mirror that has its center closer to the incoming light than its edges is called a convex mirror , while one that has its center farther away from the incoming light than its edges is called a concave mirror .
We generally assume that the light waves reaching the lens are coming from an infinitely distant object, so the light waves will be parallel to the main axis. We can distinguish these two types of curved mirrors in this way: the concave mirror can converge the light, while the convex mirror diverge the light .
What other characteristics do they have? The focal point of the concave and convex mirrors is (1/2) * R away from the mirror. For a concave mirror, a real image is formed at the focal point outside the mirror, while for a convex mirror, a virtual image is formed at the focal point behind the mirror. The concave mirror is often seen in the solar water boiler because the light converges / focuses, so the energy at one point is high enough to boil the water.
On the other hand, the concave mirror has a reflective area with an inward curvature thanks to which it manages to enlarge the images it reflects, hence this type of se is also found in magnifying mirrors (such as those used in makeup). and in telescopes.
As for convex mirrors, we often see them in car parks because they diverge light and help to obtain a wider view than flat mirrors.
3. Concave mirrors
Its shape represents the figure of a parabola, so the curve of the object itself represents a reflective surface in the form of a curve. A reflection of the figure to be reflected will be given only if there is any direct light in the reflection area. The advantage is that in this type of mirrors you can not only see real objects but it is also possible to see virtual objects.
To differentiate one object from another, it is important to remember that the real ones are in the same place of the object, while the virtual object is found on both sides, both the virtual and its reflection.
4. Convex mirrors
They represent a figure in the form of a sphere, and on the outside of it is the reflection function of the objects. In this type of reflections, the objects will never be reflected identically except by undergoing certain modifications, in addition to the fact that the light that is reflected in these figures usually bounce. Of course, here it is also possible to reflect virtual objects.
5. Parallel mirrors
It is the result of the combination of two smoothly shaped mirrors that are superimposed in parallel to each other. For this reason, there are two faces that will reflect a certain object. For this it is necessary that the object in question is placed in the middle of both mirrors and thus obtain the desired reflection.
6. Perfect mirrors
They are those mirrors that, due to their characteristics, allow a reflection to occur in optimal conditions; For this, the object must have optical properties that allow that perfection.
7. Kaleidoscope
Actually this is a type of instrument that uses the mirror as its raw material. This is the result of a combination between a pair of mirrors that are arranged inside a tube designed for observation purposes, which will be able to obtain images full of beauty that are not found in normal conditions outside.
To achieve this effect, the mirrors are required to be arranged at an angle of 60 degrees and at one end a kind of peephole will be placed that will make the images in question be obtained. And at the other end, the necessary light will enter to obtain the desired effect.
8. Triple mirrors
For its elaboration it is required of three mirrors so that they are combined in a single one. These will be placed in a tri-rectangular shape, with this it can be used for the railway industry for signaling and protection from the sun's rays.
9. Dielectic mirrors
They are mirrors that, due to their characteristics, are suitable to be considered perfect mirrors. To obtain this type of mirrors, the use of materials derived from the glass substrate is used, which will produce a series of electron-free structures that will make the elements more closely linked. This achieves a reflection of 99% of light.
