A surgeon uses a mirror to obtain a large, clear view of a patient's eye during an examination. The object (e…

Question

A surgeon uses a mirror to obtain a large, clear view of a patient's eye during an examination. The object (eye) must be placed very close to the mirror. Which type of mirror is used, and why?
(A) Convex mirror, because it always forms a magnified image
(B) Concave mirror, because when the object is within the focal length, it forms a magnified, virtual, erect image
(C) Plane mirror, because it forms an image of the same size
(D) Concave mirror, because it always forms a real and enlarged image

Accepted Answer

## Model Answer **(B) Concave mirror**, because when the object is placed within the focal length, it forms a magnified, virtual, and erect image — useful for examining the eye closely. Source: Light – Reflection and Refraction, Section 9.2 (Uses of concave mirrors) ## Explanation The key property tested here: a **concave mirror** produces a **virtual, erect, enlarged** image only when the object is placed **between the pole and the principal focus (within focal length)**. This is exactly how a shaving/examination mirror works. Option (D) is wrong because a concave mirror does NOT always form a real enlarged image — it depends on object position. The correct answer matches Option (C) "Shaving mirror" from the options list, which uses a concave mirror for this reason.

Science (086) — AI-generated practice question