Concave mirror is used in headlights of vehicles, because it

Concave mirror is used in headlights of vehicles, because it

[amp_mcq option1=”focuses light from the bulb onto nearby vehicles” option2=”sends parallel rays” option3=”fits well into the shape of the headlight” option4=”is cheaper than other mirrors” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2017
A concave mirror is used in vehicle headlights because, when the light source (bulb) is placed at or near its focal point, it reflects the light rays as a nearly parallel beam. This parallel beam effectively projects the light forward, illuminating the road ahead.
Concave mirrors are used as reflectors in headlights to create a focused, parallel beam of light by placing the light source at or near the mirror’s focal point.
Other options are incorrect: A concave mirror reflects light forward, not onto nearby vehicles in a focused way; while shape fitting and cost are practical considerations, they are not the primary *optical* reason for choosing a concave mirror. Parabolic reflectors, a specific type of concave mirror, are commonly used in headlights to produce a highly parallel beam.