stupid homework..i'd appreciate some help
2007-01-04 00:55:14 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
the reflection comes from the back of the glass not the front where you touch.
2007-01-04 00:58:15 · answer #1 · answered by Sir Digby Chicken Bhuna 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is the difference between a first-surface and second-surface mirror. Normal mirrors have the reflective coating on the back of the glass so the glass serves as a protective layer to keep the metal film from being damaged. First-surface mirrors are common in scientific instruments like telescopes because the layer of glass distorts the reflection due to refraction and loss due to transmission through the glass.
The "pencil test" in a dressing room is an urban legend and should not be relied upon.
If you encountered a first-surface mirror you would be able to touch the reflection but this is not used in an "observation mirror." If it were, the reflective coating would quickly become damaged and you would simply end up with a transparent panel.
2007-01-04 10:25:32 · answer #2 · answered by bobf 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The depth of the glass in the mirror gets in the way between the object and its reflection. They say that's how you can tell if you're being watched in a dressing room through the mirror. If the pencil tips touch you are not standing in front of a real mirror, just two way glass. Hmmm...
2007-01-04 09:04:22 · answer #3 · answered by Lola 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Glass stops you further going inside to the surface of reflection.
Actually the top surface also reflects and you can see a faint image.
If you view sideways you can see the image reflected by the top surface coinciding with the tip of the pencil.
2007-01-04 10:45:44 · answer #4 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because the reflection part of a mirror is the back side of the glass.
2007-01-04 09:03:17 · answer #5 · answered by davelibby321 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because the reflective surface is behind the glass.
2007-01-04 08:58:08 · answer #6 · answered by dwobbit 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
because the image reflected by a glass mirror is always a virtual image, which cannot be touched
2007-01-04 09:00:52 · answer #7 · answered by James Chan 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
you can on a one-way mirror. in fact, that's one of the dressing room tests to detect one-way mirrors.
2007-01-04 09:00:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Push harder
2007-01-04 09:09:23 · answer #9 · answered by Lorenzo Steed 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋