IBDP Physics Question Analysis Topic: Physics - Light
Exam Question:
If a ray of light is incident on a spherical mirror through its centre of curvature, the reflected ray:
A. retraces its path
B. passes through the focus
C. passes through the pole
D. becomes parallel to the principal axis
Answer:
For IBDP Physics, you should know:
Consider a spherical mirror with a specific center of curvature and a certain radius of curvature. A spherical mirror's center of curvature is where a light beam will pass through if it is incident on its surface. The light ray is incident in a direction that is perpendicular to the plane of the mirror, and as it strikes the surface, it retraces its original route to return to the source.
Therefore, option (A) is true since the light beam strikes a spherical mirror through its center of curvature, retracing its original course.
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