Question

When a light ray is directed towards the principal focus of a concave mirror:
A) Real image is formed
B) A diminished image is formed
C) Inverted image is formed
D) All the above

Answer 1

There are certain laws for the reflection of light through mirrors. Concave mirror forms an image which is real or virtual. It is depending upon the presence of an object in between the focal point and mirror. The image will be smaller if the object is far away from the focal point.

Complete answer:
Mirrors form reflected images. There are always inverted images formed but all the mirrors we use provide erect images and that is because of the fact that we use mirrors of increased focal length.
There are many laws of reflection. These laws are used to predict the image formation. The main law is that the angle of incidence will be equal to that of the angle of reflection. There are many other laws that we can use to predict the path of the reflected ray and the position and nature of the image formed.
The important laws that are used to predict the path of reflected rays are these ones, that is, the light ray incident through the focus of the mirror will be reflected parallel to the principal axis and the one incident on the mirror parallel to the principal axis will be reflected through the focus of the mirror. The ray that is incident on the mirror through the centre of curvature will be reflected through the same path.
From these laws we can say that when a light ray is directed towards the principal focus of a concave mirror, an inverted image is formed.
Therefore, Option C is the correct answer.

Additional information:
The laws of reflection are the same for all types of mirrors. The difference between the mirrors is the difference in the shape of their reflecting surface.

Note:
Concave mirrors have a reflecting surface which is curved inwardly. A convex mirror is just the opposite of it, that is, it is bulge in the middle. While in the convex mirror the images are always virtual and upright.