2007-02-06 23:43:30 · 7 answers · asked by dizzyandconfused 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
for a plane mirror i mean
2007-02-06 23:53:27 · update #1
Only if the reflective surface is at the back of the mirror.
If the silver surface is at the front then it doesn't make any difference how thick the glass is behind, the reflections all come from the silver surface on top.
But, if the silver surface is at the back then it does make a difference how thick the mirror is. This is because the light has to travel through the glass before it is reflected from the silver surface, and then back through it again to reach your eye. Each passage through the glass can cause a 'ghost' reflection to appear.
The thicker the glass, the worse the reflected image looks. Light can also be refracted by the top surface and cause 'ghost' images to appear. Also, if the top of the glass is highly polished, this can act like a mirror itself and cause a reflection on top of the mirror as well.
Furthermore, the internal surface of the top of the glass can reflect some of the already reflected light back to the silver surface again, causing more ghost images.
Very thick mirrors can also cause a loss of 'brightness' due to light being attenuated by the very thick glass.
All these add up to image degredation, the thicker the mirror the worse it gets. And remember, all the 'ghost' reflections can themselves all be re-reflected over and over.
Look close up to a thick mirror and you can see 5 or 6 'ghost' reflections, maybe more. You can demonstrate the multiple reflections by holding a smaller mirror in front of a larger one, face to face, and looking down the 'tunnel' of re-reflected images.
2007-02-07 00:13:53 · answer #1 · answered by Timbo 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it is assumed that both thicker and thinnermost available mirrors are coated similarly with the best material, then the thickness of mirror makes a very marginal effect on the quality of image formed - only confined to ripples/distortion due to uneven thichness but NOT due to thicker or thinner glass used. They do exist in market (costlier), but that is for enhanced strength against breakage.
When light rays pass from air-plane glass-air only 4% light (intensity) is refleted. The coating at the back of glass generally increases this to about 80% (more for scientific works). This % is a relative measure of pair of mediums (ref. index).
The catch is intensity of light Vs incident energy. Here the former is at play.
2007-02-07 08:47:35 · answer #2 · answered by anil bakshi 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I depends on the angle. If you are looking at yourself in a mirror that is just large enough for your face, no. If you are looking at something in a mirror that is at an angle, yes, but only a small amount (unless the glass is REALLY thick).
2007-02-07 07:51:41 · answer #3 · answered by SteveA8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you get refletion off both the surface and the silvered surface. For reflections that are 90 degrees, this doesn't make a difference. At other angles, you get a double reflection (or even more if internal reflection occurs)
2007-02-07 07:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by amania_r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll lose a little clarity because of refraction and inperfections in the glass. And you'll get a ghost image from the front surface as well as the rear
2007-02-07 07:48:43 · answer #5 · answered by kinvadave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No but the curvature of the reflective surface does. The quality of the glass and the reflective coatings does as well.
2007-02-07 07:53:01 · answer #6 · answered by S.A.M. Gunner 7212 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no.
If it is thick enough, you will get two reflections hovering by eachother, one from the glass and one from the metal backing.
But you still see the same thing.
2007-02-07 07:46:34 · answer #7 · answered by John Doe IV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋