how far does the reflection of two mirrors facing eacother goes?

Question

i would think this is the only way we can see infinity in our world... maybe?

Answer 1

It would seem infinite, but I'm not so sure. The reflection appears to be an equal distance inside the mirror from the actual object. For every reflection, the distance within the reflected image would get smaller but some percentage of the original distance, right? This is the tunnel looking effect you see when you try this.
So then it would get smaller and smaller forever, BUT is there a limit to how small it can go? If light is part matter, and matter can only get so small, my theory is that there is a point where there would no longer be an image because the light matter making up that image would be too large to make it.

Like a mosaic whose tiles get bigger and bigger, eventually you wouldn't be able to make out an image, and finally there would be one tile.

Answer 2

Till it reaches the eye.
The best example of specular reflection, which we encounter on a daily basis, is the mirror image produced by a household mirror that people might use many times a day to view their appearance. The mirror's smooth reflective glass surface renders a virtual image of the observer from the light that is reflected directly back into the eyes. This image is referred to as "virtual" because it does not actually exist (no light is produced) and appears to be behind the plane of the mirror due to an assumption that the brain naturally makes. The way in which this occurs is easiest to visualize when looking at the reflection of an object placed on one side of the observer, so that the light from the object strikes the mirror at an angle and is reflected at an equal angle to the viewer's eyes. As the eyes receive the reflected rays, the brain assumes that the light rays have reached the eyes in a direct straight path. Tracing the rays backward toward the mirror, the brain perceives an image that is positioned behind the mirror. An interesting feature of this reflection artifact is that the image of an object being observed appears to be the same distance behind the plane of the mirror as the actual object is in front of the mirror.


The Law of Reflection
The incoming light wave is referred to as an incident wave, and the wave that is bounced away from the surface is termed the reflected wave. Visible white light that is directed onto the surface of a mirror at an angle (incident) is reflected back into space by the mirror surface at another angle (reflected) that is equal to the incident angle, as presented for the action of a beam of light from a flashlight on a smooth, flat mirror in Figure 2. Thus, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection for visible light as well as for all other wavelengths of the electromagnetic radiation spectrum. This concept is often termed the Law of Reflection. It is important to note that the light is not separated into its component colors because it is not being "bent" or refracted, and all wavelengths are being reflected at equal angles. The best surfaces for reflecting light are very smooth, such as a glass mirror or polished metal, although almost all surfaces will reflect light to some degree.

http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/lightandcolor/reflectionintro.html

Answer 3

it rather is real. Our faces are asymmetrical. seem on the left and appropriate fringe of any action picture star face in a mag, and possibility is that for the time of ninety% of situations the spectacular part seems 10 years older - the mouth droops a sprint, the cheek sags greater, the eyebrows are seldom an identical. Even the eyes look to have diverse expressions. So i think that's what occurring on your different pondered photograph experiments, and the spectacular or (older) part is getting greater interest than it often does.

Answer 4

In theory forever. In reality there are impurities and imperfections in the mirrors and dust in the air. With each passage back and forth some light is not reflected. Eventually the amount of light will diminish to unnoticeable levels; too weak to be seen.

Answer 5

You have a great point!

I did it just now and it's pretty infinite alright.

Thanks for the insightful tip!

Try rubbing a magnet on a needle stroking it in one direction, poke the needle into a piece of styrofoam and let it float in a bowl of water...
and notice how it always points North and South just like a compass.

At least you'll know where the top and bottom of the World is.

Answer 6

Thoretically infinite number of reflections should take place but practically, the light and the small amount of loss at each reflection limit the number of times the light is reflected.

Answer 7

As far as you can maintain line of sight. Bare in mind that the earth curves downward 5 meters for every 8000 meters(hence the horizon). So if the question is on this earth, it depends how high they are off the ground.

Answer 8

It is infinite but you can't really see it. If you put your head/eyes to see how far it goes, your vision will be blocked by your head/eyes. The same goes with cameras.

Answer 9

In a straight line and without any other objects -- as far as you can make it go.

Answer 10

As far as the naked eye can see.