Question

The mirror used by a dentist to see a large image of the teeth of the patients is

• A. concave mirror
• B. convex mirror
• C. plane mirror
• D. plano-convex mirror

Hint:

Think about how a shaving mirror or makeup mirror works; they are concave mirrors used to produce a magnified virtual image when the face is close to the mirror. The dentist's mirror works on the same principle.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Consider the requirement for a large (magnified) image.
Dentists need to see a magnified view of the patient's teeth to examine them in detail. This means the mirror used should be capable of producing a magnified image. 
Step 2: Recall the magnification properties of different types of mirrors. 
Concave mirror: Can produce magnified real or virtual images when the object (tooth) is placed between the pole and the focus of the mirror. Convex mirror: Always produces diminished images, so it cannot be used to see a large image of the teeth. 
Plane mirror: Produces images of the same size as the object, so it does not provide magnification. 
Plano-convex mirror: This is a converging mirror, but it is not typically used by dentists for magnification purposes in the same way a simple concave mirror is.
Step 3: Identify the mirror that can produce a large image when the object is placed appropriately.
A concave mirror can form a magnified, virtual, and erect image when the tooth is placed close to the mirror (within the focal length). This allows the dentist to see a detailed and enlarged view.