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View Full Version : WANTED: Proof of formula!


shashank010288
Sep28-04, 02:18 PM
The formula for no. of images by two mirrors inclined at $ angle is

[ 360/$]-1
can anybody prove it?

Gokul43201
Sep28-04, 02:31 PM
Consider an angle

360/(n+1) < \theta < 360/n

Find the positions of the images, starting from each of the pricipal images. When two images have the same position, stop.

I'll try this myself, when I find the time.

shashank010288
Sep29-04, 01:37 PM
I want a proof for general angle

pervect
Sep29-04, 02:07 PM
I want a proof for general angle

Well, the first goal is to prove that the number of images is independent of the poistion of the observer, or perhaps you could specify the position of the observer.

Gokul43201
Sep29-04, 02:10 PM
I want a proof for general angle

Any angle Ccan be shown to satisfy the above criteria for a suitable choice of n.

Tide
Sep29-04, 03:10 PM
If the inclination of the second mirror with respect to the first is \beta then the angle of incidence is increased by \beta / 2 at each reflection.