Reflection Patterns of Laser Light on Tilted Mirrors

AI Thread Summary
When a laser pointer is directed at a tilted mirror, the reflections can create a parabolic pattern due to the angles of incidence and reflection. As the mirrors are adjusted, the path of the reflected light changes, leading to the observed stretching or compressing of the parabola. The phenomenon is related to the geometric properties of light reflection rather than the physical path through the air. The parabolic shape is a result of the consistent angle of reflection from the tilted mirrors. Understanding this behavior involves concepts of optics and the laws governing light reflection.
Gregory.gags
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This may sound stupid, but why when I shine a laser pointer at a mirror and reflect in onto another mirror back and forth, the points of light make a parabola when the mirrors are tilted in such a way as to maximize the number of reflections happening? Tilting the mirror further or closer then causes the parabola to stretch or compress exponentially. Why is this?
 
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I don't follow what your actually observing when you say: "points of light make a parabola". Is this its path through the air, like what you would see with smoke or dust in the air?
 

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