2006-11-10 13:34:06 · 3 answers · asked by Link 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
When you look at yourself in the mirror the right side of your reflection is to the right of the mirror, and so on left to left, top to top... What is reversed is front to back. If you are looking north your reflection is looking south. Since you and your reflection are looking in opposite directions but the hands are on the same sides your reflection appears left handed because you expect the right hand of a person facing you to be on the opposite side.
2006-11-10 13:48:57 · answer #1 · answered by rethinker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because a regular mirror reflects light straight on. To the mirror, your left hand is on it's left side which would appear to be the right hand in the reflection. If you want to try something weird, get two mirrors the same size without frames. Place them at a 90 degree angle to each other and look into the front. Your reflection will no longer be the opposite, it will give you your true image. When you lift your right hand the reflection will also lift it's right hand rather than what appears to be the left hand. They call this a true reflection. It's really wild.
2006-11-10 22:54:27 · answer #2 · answered by John C 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you mean "why is left and right reversed, but not top and bottom?", neither is in fact reversed. What gets reversed is front and back, but this does make the reflection appear left-handed.
2006-11-10 21:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋