Which function did spherical mirrors play in the operation of Ibn Sahl's 10th-century burning instruments?

💡 Explanation

In Ibn Sahl's burning instruments, spherical mirrors were employed to achieve extreme focal concentration of solar electromagnetic radiation because reflection concentrates light onto one point by geometric optics principles. Concentration heats the target. Therefore, concentrating is correct, rather than dispersing, polarizing or filtering, which are later optical techniques in less portable devices .

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