Why are they closer than they appear?
2007-08-11 03:06:30 · 11 answers · asked by kangaroo 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Because most of these mirrors have a convex shape for the benefit of minimizing the blind spot. The downside is they become smaller and seem farther away.
2007-08-11 03:12:22 · answer #1 · answered by Fast Eddie 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It`s a combination of both answers:
Because most of these mirrors have a convex shape for the benefit of minimizing the blind spot. The downside is they become smaller and seem farther away.
They appear closer because the mirror is convex (like the back of a spoon).
However the reason it says this is so that you cannot sue the car manufacturer if you have an accident, and claim that the mirror gave you an incorrect image of what was around you.
All these warnings are required to counter the "claim" culture, where we can blame (and claim) that we are the victims, and that the responsibility for any accident is never ours, and we want compensation.
2007-08-13 11:38:43 · answer #2 · answered by AntikristPrinceWilliam 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They appear closer because the mirror is convex (like the back of a spoon).
However the reason it says this is so that you cannot sue the car manufacturer if you have an accident, and claim that the mirror gave you an incorrect image of what was around you.
All these warnings are required to counter the "claim" culture, where we can blame (and claim) that we are the victims, and that the responsibility for any accident is never ours, and we want compensation.
2007-08-13 06:17:42 · answer #3 · answered by Valmiki 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
side view mirrors have an almost invisible curve to them, they curve out words, this means they are convex, this increases the angle which they can see through, like some one else said to reduce the blind spot, the downside is that the images appear smaller then they really are, your brain then thinks that they are further away than they really are, hope that helps
2007-08-11 18:40:13 · answer #4 · answered by gramps 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That applies to convex mirrors that produce a smaller image than a flat mirror. That makes it look further away.
2007-08-11 10:10:20 · answer #5 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't ask Meatloaf. He got it backwards.
2007-08-11 14:27:29 · answer #6 · answered by Richard C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's so people don't miss judge the distance and end up hitting another vehicle.
2007-08-11 10:18:20 · answer #7 · answered by barney c 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so that meatloaf could write a song about it
2007-08-14 10:04:44 · answer #8 · answered by bensong3098 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's magnified
2007-08-13 10:26:41 · answer #9 · answered by Bludnut 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask meatloaf!! He sang about it.
2007-08-11 10:22:53 · answer #10 · answered by fosyfos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋