I am confused...
2007-08-13 02:00:00 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
In appearance, yes. In fact, no.
An object in a mirror appears just as far behind the mirror as it is in front of it.
However, that is merely the lines and angles aspect of the reflection, and the way it interacts with your eye.
An obvious example of how it DOESN'T double the distance is the fact that light from a star several light-years away does not go several light-years into the mirror before reflecting back. It only goes in the fraction of an inch to the silvered back and is then reflected to your eye.
2007-08-13 02:38:49 · answer #1 · answered by ianmacpherson55 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Think of it like this: Light travels from the object to the mirror, then back to you. For any object the same distance from the mirror as you, the perceived distance to the mirror is doubled.
Otherwise, the perceived distance to the mirror is the actual distance plus your distance.
The only case in which the object is actually farther away than it appears is with a curved mirror.
2007-08-13 02:11:48 · answer #2 · answered by most important person you know 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
The light emitted (or reflected) from an object by your side will actually have to travel the distance to the mirror and then back to your eye, for you to see it. It is the same as saying that the light has to travel some distance in the "virtual" world inside the mirror (the reflection) and the rest of it in the "real" world. The result is still the same.
2007-08-13 02:09:37 · answer #3 · answered by mashkas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The image will appear to be the same distance into the mirror as the actual object is away from the mirror.
2007-08-13 02:07:19 · answer #4 · answered by gebobs 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hold a twelve inch ruler perpendicular to a flat mirror. The distance from the farthest tip to farthest tip of the 'rulers' will 'appear' to be 24 inches. It is only an image because the photons you 'see' do not travel beyond the solid black painted surface covering the reflective silver.
2007-08-13 02:14:56 · answer #5 · answered by Kes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if it is a FLAT mirror (not concave or convex.)
The image appears to be as far away from the reflective surface as the object is.
This is most easily explained if you are looking at a reflection of YOURSELF in the mirror.
The angles from the top and bottom of the reflected image to your eye are the same as the angle would be if you were looking at a person of the same height who was as far behind the mirror as you are in front of it.
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2007-08-13 02:15:33 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-08-16 21:21:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋