Chapter 17, Problem 56A

To determine

The radius of curvature of the concave mirror.

Answer to Problem 56A

  $20.0\text{cm}$

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The focal length of the concave mirror, $f=10.0\text{cm}$

Formula used:

If $R$ is the radius of curvature of the mirror, then the focal length $\left(f\right)$ of the mirror can be written in terms of $R$ as,

  $f=\frac{R}{2}$

Calculation:

Using the above formula, the radius of curvature of the mirror will be,

  $\begin{array}{c}R=2f\\ =2\left(10.0\text{}\text{cm}\right)\\ =20.0\text{cm}\end{array}$

Conclusion:

Therefore, the radius of curvature of a concave mirror is $20.0\text{cm}$ .