why does very finely polished woods can't reflect ligh as mirrors and why can't we see our image very clearly

Question

answer should be supported with principles of physics

Answer 1

Read this carefully, n i guarantee that u'll get ur answer-
reflectivity of an object depends on-
1) the substance of which it is made
2) smoothness of the substance

All substances reflect some light, absorb some light, and transmit some light. (transmittance may be very less). Out of these three properties, the one which dominates determines the reflectivity of the substance.

So, in the case u speak, if i make a wood piece as smooth as mirror (by polishing), then it does not reflect that much light as the mirror, and therefore we cant see our image in it as clearly.

THE REASON -
As the criterion 2) is the same for two objects, therefore criterion 1) determines reflectivity.
the substance of wood is such that it absorbs a lot of light (much more than silver, which is coated on the back of mirror), and thats why this happens. However, if u coat the smooth wood surface with silver, it will behave exactly as a mirror.

Actually in a mirror, glass is taken as base becoz it can be prepared smooth easily.....making a piece of wood as smooth as glass would be quite difficult n expensive.

So, the magic of a mirror is based on the highly reflective property of silver (great metallic lusture)

Answer 2

well im not in physics yet but i know that the surface of wood is rougher although it may not look like it, so your image comes back unclear