Question

What kind of mirror would be best suited for use in Solar Cooker ?

• A. concave
• B. convex
• C. plain
• D. plano-concave

Hint:

Solar cookers need to focus sunlight to get hot.
{Concave} mirrors {C}oncentrate light.
{Convex} mirrors {S}pread light (disperse/diverge).
{Plane} mirrors just reflect without focusing. So, concave is the answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: Solar cookers use sunlight to generate heat for cooking. This often requires concentrating sunlight onto a small area. Step 1: Purpose of a mirror in a solar cooker The main goal is to collect solar energy from a large area and focus it onto the cooking pot or a specific heating zone to achieve high temperatures. Step 2: Properties of different mirror types regarding parallel light (like sunlight)
(1) Concave Mirror: This mirror is curved inwards. It converges (brings together) parallel rays of light to a single point called the focus. This concentrating effect is ideal for increasing temperature. Example: a satellite dish shape.
(2) Convex Mirror: This mirror is curved outwards. It diverges (spreads out) parallel rays of light. This would diffuse the solar energy, not concentrate it. Example: side-view mirrors on cars (often say "objects in mirror are closer...").
(3) Plain Mirror (Plane Mirror): This is a flat mirror. It reflects light without converging or diverging it significantly from a single mirror. It can redirect light but doesn't focus it to a point to increase intensity.
(4) Plano-concave Mirror: "Plano-concave" is typically a term for a lens (one flat side, one concave side). If it were a mirror, it would likely refer to its concave reflecting surface, making it functionally a concave mirror. Step 3: Choosing the best mirror To concentrate sunlight and generate high temperatures for cooking, a concave mirror is the most suitable choice due to its converging property.