say i shot a beam of laser at the north pole. It is directed at Amazon jungle, There´s a Mirror that should deflect the beam to a new direction and that is japan.In japan there´s a similar mirror that should deflect the laser back at me. Say we abandon everything that can interfere with the course of the laser such as Mountains,trees etc etc..Will it forms a triangle (with 180° as the sum of every inside edges) or will the light travels straight to the Horizon then outer space..
2007-12-27 13:16:03 · 3 answers · asked by Prinsipia physica 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
If the light actually reaches you, then yes, its path will form a planar triangle. The beam won't follow the curve of the surface of the earth, it will need to go through the earth. Note that your mirror is aimed at some point in the Amazon jungle, not at the horizon. This also ignores very minor relativistic effects.
2007-12-27 13:23:44 · answer #1 · answered by Frank N 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will form a triangle. One of your given says: "Say we abandon EVERYTHING (capitalization mine) that can interfere with the course of the laser such as mountains, trees, etc etc..".
If nothing were to interfere with the laser's course, then definitely straight lines will be formed between the three points(north pole, Amazon jungle, and Japan.
Note: I assume by EVERYTHING the mirrors are excluded.
teddy boy
2007-12-27 23:11:47 · answer #2 · answered by teddy boy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
light can not bend, unless it is in a fiber optic cable, so no the curve ofthe earth would totally prevent you form doing this, sorry
2007-12-27 21:24:40 · answer #3 · answered by take it or leave it 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋