2007-05-14 06:47:48 · 8 answers · asked by Alexander 6 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The answers to this simple question
are simply astonishing.
It's kind of like in Prince of Persia you
jump into the mirror and the your image
(3D of course, and quite real) jumps
out of the mirror and runs away.
2007-05-14 08:05:55 · update #1
Let's start with an observer at rest with the mirror and a doppelganger of you speeding towards the mirror at (1/2)c in the opposite direction. Because the laws of optics works for the observer's rest frame regardless of you or the doppelganger speeding, he will see that light being emitted from the doppelganger towards you to form an image (using whatever instrument you choose to view it) exactly mimics the light being emitted from you and reflected back towards you. Thus, this reduces to the case of you observing the doppleganger in your own moving frame, and we employ the relativistic velocity addition to find out how fast the doppelganger appears to be moving relative to you, which is:
v = ((1/2)c+(1/2)c)/(1+((1/2)c)²/c² = (4/5)c
2007-05-14 13:16:03 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Speculating on how fast an image in a mirror would approach is not meaningful. A mirror image is just a two-dimensional representation of the subject being reflected. In our 3-D universe three dimensional displacement over time is velocity; so a two-dimensional image does not have velocity capability since it cannot travel in three dimensions.
As you, in three dimensions, approach that mirror, your image will enlarge...over the two dimensions of the flat mirror. But it will not actually approach you. So, bottom line, you're approach to the mirror is at v = 1/2 c, while your image is at v = 0 in the third dimension along your direction of travel towards the mirror.
2007-05-14 07:44:44 · answer #2 · answered by oldprof 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Speculating on how briskly a picture in a mirror might concepts-set isn't significant. A mirror image is in basic terms a 2-dimensional representation of the difficulty being contemplated. In our 3-D universe 3 dimensional displacement over the years is velocity; so a 2-dimensional image would not have velocity skill because of the fact it can not shuttle in 3 dimensions. As you, in 3 dimensions, concepts-set that mirror, your image will amplify...over the two dimensions of the flat mirror. besides the incontrovertible fact that it won't honestly concepts-set you. So, base line, you're concepts-set to the mirror is at v = one million/2 c, on an identical time as your image is at v = 0 interior the third length alongside your direction of shuttle in the direction of the mirror.
2016-12-11 09:12:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your image will approach you with the speed of light, regardless of how fast (or slow) you are moving. Relative velocity is another idea, but the answer to the question you asked is still the speed of light, that is how fast all images travel.
2007-05-14 06:52:23 · answer #4 · answered by Mark S 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
At light speed. An image isn't a real entity, so there's no prohibition from it traveling just as fast as it desires.
EG, If you were traveling at just under c, your mirror image could approach you at just under 2c. No problem there.
2007-05-14 07:27:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
No matter how fast you move, the light (reflection) from the mirror will approach you always at the speed of light!
2007-05-14 06:52:27 · answer #6 · answered by jleyendo 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
well the virtual image (i.e the reflection) will move toward you at a RELATIVE velocity of the speed of light but in truth the photons that constitute the real image always move at the speed of light toward the observer regardless of his position/movement.
2007-05-14 06:56:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
With the velocity of the light. Nothing more...Question much too vague: it is about the mirror or just about the image ...?
2007-05-14 06:51:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋