What happens when you shine light on a mirror?
If you shine a light into a mirror, you simply divert the energy in another direction. If the questioner is talking about placing a mirror behind a light source such as a table lamp or candle, the mirror only reflects the light which would otherwise have been absorbed by the wall.
How does light interact with a mirror?
The light will reflect off the mirror in a more orderly way than it reflects off your clothes. We call that specular reflection—it’s the opposite to diffuse reflection. The silver atoms behind the glass absorb the photons of incoming light energy and become excited.
Do you look uglier in the mirror?
When we look at ourselves we actually see ourselves “uglier” than what we actuality are perceived by other people due to noticing the minute flaws and details that change your perspective to view yourself uglier.
What happens to light when it is reflected from a mirror?
Reflection. Reflections from flat surfaces are fairly easy to understand. A reflection appears to be the same distance from the “other side” of the mirror as the viewer’s eyes are from the mirror. Also, when light is reflected from a mirror, it bounces off at the same angle in the opposite direction from which it hit.
Can a mirror be used to create light?
Yes and no. Mirrors can’t create light, only reflect it. Normally, much of the light from an electric light is absorbed by the walls of a room (and a lot is also reflected which is why you can see!). Mirrors are much more reflective and will bounce the light back so of course they can be used to increase the general brightness in a room.
How does the magnification effect of a mirror work?
If the surface is concave, or curved inward, a group of light rays from a distant source is reflected back toward a single location known as the focal point. This generally produces a magnifying effect, such as that seen in a makeup mirror. The radius of curvature of a mirror determines its magnification factor and its focal length.
Why does a convex mirror reflect light backwards?
Convex mirrors reflect light backward to a point behind the mirror. As a result, the image you see in the mirror is smaller than the object and appears further away than it is. Concave mirrors are curved inward. The backs of most eyeglass lenses are concave.