A non-spherical shining spoon can generally be considered as a

A shiny metallic spoon acts as a curved mirror due to its reflective surfaces. The inner surface, which curves inwards, is approximated to a concave mirror, while the outer surface, which bulges outwards, is approximated to a convex mirror [3]. These types of mirrors are collectively classified as spherical mirrors because their reflecting surfaces are shaped like a part of a hollow glass sphere [2]. While the spoon is non-spherical in a strict geometric sense (often being more ellipsoidal), in the context of basic optics and physics education, it is the standard practical example used to demonstrate the properties of spherical mirrors [1]. Unlike plane mirrors, which have flat surfaces and produce same-sized images, the curved surfaces of a spoon cause light rays to converge or diverge, resulting in magnified, diminished, or inverted images [5].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 9: Light – Reflection and Refraction > 9.2 SPHERICAL MIRRORS > p. 135
2. [3] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Light: Mirrors and Lenses > Activity 10.1: Let us explore > p. 154
3. [2] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Light: Mirrors and Lenses > Activity 10.1: Let us explore > p. 153
4. [4] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Light: Mirrors and Lenses > Light: Mirrors and Lenses > p. 160
5. [5] Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 10: Light: Mirrors and Lenses > Snapshots > p. 165