Question
Legend says that Archimedes set the Roman fleet on fire as it was invading Syracuse. Archimedes created a huge _____ mirror and used it to focus the Sun's rays on the Roman vessels.a) planeb) parabolic divergingc) parabolic converging
Step 1
A plane mirror reflects light in a straightforward manner, without focusing or dispersing it. A parabolic diverging mirror would spread the light out, making it less concentrated. A parabolic converging mirror, on the other hand, focuses light onto a single point. Show more…
Show all steps
Your feedback will help us improve your experience
Ajay Singhal and 86 other Physics 103 educators are ready to help you.
Ask a new question
Labs
Want to see this concept in action?
Explore this concept interactively to see how it behaves as you change inputs.
Key Concepts
Recommended Videos
32.1 Legend says that Archimedes set the Roman fleet on fire as it was invading Syracuse. Archimedes created a huge ______ mirror, and he focused the Sun's rays on the Roman vessels. a) plane c) parabolic focusing b) parabolic diverging
According to legend Archimedes built a Death Ray using a mirror and reflecting the rays from the sun it onto enemy ships below causing them to burst into flame. The mirror Archimedes would have used would most definitely have been a. concave b. convex c. probably imaginary d. a&c Convex mirrors are great when a. you need to focus light rays to a point b. you need to see a large area through a small surface c. both a&b d. Neither a&b Concave mirrors are great when a. You need to focus light rays to a point b. you need to see a large area through a small surface c. both a&b d. Neither a&b
Sinking ships A legend says that Archimedes once saved his native town of Syracuse by burning the enemy’s fleet with a mirror. Describe quantitatively the type of mirror that Archimedes could have used to burn ships that were 150 m away. Justify your answer.
Transcript
Watch the video solution with this free unlock.
EMAIL
PASSWORD