Difference between Convex and Concave Mirror

Key Difference: Concave and convex are two classes of spherical mirrors. A concave mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature fall on the same side of the mirror. On the other hand, a convex mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature lie on the opposite sides of the mirror.

Convex and concave are two types of spherical mirrors. A spherical mirror is actually a mirror whose surface forms a part of a hollow sphere. The sphere can be made from any type of polished metal surface like glass. The center of the mirror is called the pole and the radius through the pole is called the axis of the mirror.

A convex mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature lie on the opposite sides of the mirror. In other words, if the mirror coating lies in the inside of the spherical surface, then it is known as a convex mirror. It is also known as a diverging mirror as – when a beam of light is directed on a convex mirror, the mirror allows the initial parallel rays to diverge after striking it. They are known to provide wider views, and therefore are primary used as automobile side mirrors.

A concave mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature fall on the same side of the mirror. In other words, if the mirror coating lies outside of the spherical surface, then it is known as a concave mirror. This type of mirror forms a part of the simplest image forming optical system. Therefore, it has many applications. The image in a concave mirror is seen inverted. However, the image can be of the same size or magnified; depends upon the distance from the concave mirror.

Comparison between Convex and Concave Mirror:

	Concave Mirror	Convex Mirror
Structure	A concave mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature fall on the same side of the mirror. In other words, if the mirror coating lies outside of the spherical surface, then it is known as a concave mirror.	A convex mirror is a spherical mirror in which the reflecting surface and the center of curvature lie on the opposite sides of the mirror. In other words, if the mirror coating lies in the inside of the spherical surface, then it is known as a convex mirror.
Other name	Converging Mirror	Diverging Mirror, Fish eye mirror
Image projection	Can be projected on a screen	Cannot be projected on a screen.
Meaning	Concave means “hollowed or rounded”.	Convex means “curved or rounded like the outside of a sphere or circle”.
Image (C stands for center of curvature, F for focal point and V for vertex)	Position of object (infinity) Position of Image (At F) Character of Image (Real, zero size) Position of object (between infinity and C) Position of Image (Between F and C) Character of Image (real, inverted, diminished) Position of object (AT C) Character of Image (Real, inverted, same size) Position of object (Between C and F) Position of Image (Between C and infinity). Character of Image (Real, inverted, magnified) Position of object (Between F and V) Position of Image (From –infinity to V) Character of Image (Virtual, upright, magnified) Position of object (AT V) Position of Image (At V) Character of Image (Virtual, upright, same size)	Position of object (infinity) Position of Image (At F) Character of Image (Virtual, zero size) Position of object (between infinity and V) Position of Image (Between F and V) Character of Image (Virtual, upright, Diminished) Position of object (AT V) Position of Image (At V) Character of Image (Virtual, upright, same size)