Explain how the position of images is located for spherical mirror by considering the different rays using necessary ray - diagrams.

The image formed by spherical mirrors can be located by constructing ray diagrams. The point of intersection of two rays will give the position of the image.

Following rays can be taken into consideration while locating the image.

1. A ray parallel to the principal axis after reflection passes through the focus or appears to diverge from the focus. As shown in the figure below.

2. A ray passing through the principal focus of the concave mirror or ray which is directed towards the principal focus of convex mirror will emerge parallel to the principal axis as shown in the figure below.

3. A ray passing through the centre of curvature of the concave mirror or directed towards the centre of curvature of convex mirror after reflection is, reflected along the same path, as shown in the figure below.

4. A light ray incident obliquely to the principal axis towards the pole of a concave mirror or convex mirror is reflected obliquely following the laws of reflection. The figure below shows it.