Question

Mirror used in solar furnace:
$A.$ Concave mirror
$B.$ Convex mirror
$C.$ Parabolic mirror
$D.$ Bi concave mirror

Answer 1

Concave mirrors are known as converging mirrors because they collect all the light falling on them coming from infinity. At different points of the mirror, light gets reflected at different angles and tends to end up on the same point i.e., focus of the mirror. Solar furnace needs high temperature over a small area to perform its function.

Complete step by step answer:
A solar furnace is a structure that concentrates all the solar power from the sun to a single point to produce high temperatures. These are mostly used for cooking, barbeque, chemical industries and workplaces with high temperature requirements. The temperature at the focal point may reach 3,500$^{\circ }C$.
Concave mirror concentrates all the rays to its focus. So a concave mirror is used in a solar furnace to produce high temperatures.

Hence the correct option is A.

Additional information:
A concave mirror is also known as a converging mirror. It has a reflecting surface that is bent away from the incoming light. Concave mirrors concentrate light inward to one focal point. They are used to focus light. Depending upon the distance between the object and the mirror, a concave mirror can provide different types of images.

Note:
Concave mirrors are used in reflecting telescopes. They are also used to provide a magnified image when the object is placed between focus and the pole. So such mirrors can be used for make up or shaving. Concave mirrors are used to produce a beam of light by gathering light from a smaller source. For example torches, headlamps, spotlights and concentrated solar power furnaces.