PURPOSE: To illustrate reflection from a concave spherical mirror.
DESCRIPTION: A series of parallel rays are formed using a slit baffle and with concave and convex lenses. These rays are incident onto a concave spherical mirror, which focuses them to a point with some spherical aberration, as can be seen in t he photograph. Number and spacing of rays are adjustable by choice of baffle and position of baffle. A baffle with sets of rays of different color can be used to draw attention to the different aberration of different sets of rays.
SUGGESTIONS:
REFERENCES: (PIRA 6A20.10)
EQUIPMENT: Optical board with spherical concave mirror, concave and convex lenses.
SETUP TIME: None.