A solar cooker uses a concave spherical mirror of focal length to focus sunlight onto…
PHYSICS · Single correct · AP · Physics 2: Algebra-based · Geometric Optics · Geometric Optics
Problem
A solar cooker uses a concave spherical mirror of focal length 40cm to focus sunlight onto a cooking pot whose circular top has a radius of 12cm. The pot’s center is placed on the principal axis 60cm from the mirror’s surface. Assuming incoming sunlight is parallel to the axis and mirror aberrations are negligible, what is the minimum mirror diameter required so that the entire top surface of the pot is illuminated?
(a) 32cm
(b) 48cm
(c) 24cm
(d) 80cm