BASIS FOR

MIRROR LENS
COMPARISON

Meaning Mirror implies a glass Lens is a transparent

surface with a silvery substance of glass or plastic,
backing, that produces bound by two surfaces,
image through reflection. whose at least one surface is
curved.

Nature It can be plane or curved. It is usually curved, with one

or both sides.

Working Principle Law of reflection Law of refraction

Equation

Definition of Mirror

The mirror is defined as a shiny glass object, with a silvery coating at its back,
which reflects light and results in the formation of an image of the object,
which is in front of it. It is used in our homes, to see the reflection of our face
or other objects. It is of two types:
 Plane mirror: A mirror with a flat surface is called a plane mirror. It
produces virtual and erect images.

 Spherical mirror: A mirror that has a curved surface, which is used to

form a diminished or magnified image, is called a spherical mirror. It is
of two types convex and concave mirror, as described below:
 Convex Mirror: A mirror in which the reflection takes place
from the curved surface is a convex mirror. In such mirrors, the
inner side is painted, and the outer one is polished, which reflects
the images. It is a diverging mirror that forms virtual and erect
images of the object placed in the front.
  Concave Mirror: The concave mirror is one in which reflecting
surface is curved inwards, and its face is towards the centre of the
sphere. It is a converging mirror.

Definition of Lens

Lens implies a piece of transparent material, i.e. glass or plastic, that has two
opposite surfaces, one or both of which are curved. It is most commonly used
for correcting the vision. Lenses are either singly used or in a combination of
two or more simple lens in an optical device, so as to produce an image by
converging the beam of light.

The working of the lens is based on the principle of refraction, i.e. the light
rays bend after they pass through the lens and thus their direction changes
and that is why the objects visible from the lens seems larger or smaller than
the actual object. There are two types of convex and concave lens, which are
discussed as under:

 Convex Lens: The surface of a convex lens is curved outwards from the
centre, which converges the rays of light. Binoculars and telescope,
 magnifier, etc. use this type of lens.

 Concave Lens: Concave lens has a surface that bulges inward towards
the centre, and thus it diverges the light beam. It is mainly used TV
projectors.

Key Differences Between Mirror and Lens

The points presented below are substantial so far as the difference between
mirror and lens is concerned:

1. By the term ‘mirror’ we mean a shiny piece of glass, that is polished

from the back, which reflects a clear image of the object, placed in front
of it. On the other hand, Lens is a transparent piece of glass, with a
 spherical surface, that concentrates or disperses the rays of light falling
on it.
2. A mirror is either plane or spherical. In contrast, a lens has two surfaces,
at least one of which is curved inwards or outwards.
3. As the light ray strikes the mirror, it reflects off the light in a different
direction, resulting in the formation of an image. Conversely, in case of
lenses, the light ray enters the medium (lens), which refracts (bends) the
rays in a different direction, creating a focus, from where the rays seem
to originate.
4. To calculate the nature of images formed by a mirror and a lens, we use
their equation, which is given as under:
Mirror Equation:

Lens Equation:

Where v = Distance of image from the pole.

u = Distance of object from the pole.
f = focal length of a spherical mirror

Conclusion

Mirrors and lenses are used to produce the image of whatever placed in front
of it. Depending on the position of the object, the nature of image may vary,
i.e. it can be real or virtual. A mirror is usually of a glass or a metal, but a lens
is of glass or plastic.