How Does Light Reflect Between Two Mirrors Angled at 60.5 Degrees?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of light reflecting between two vertical plane mirrors positioned at an angle of 60.5 degrees. Participants are exploring how the angle of incidence and reflection affects the direction of the light after it interacts with the mirrors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to visualize the scenario and are questioning how the angle between the mirrors influences the reflection of light. Some are considering geometric relationships and the implications of the angles involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their attempts and reasoning. There is a recognition of different interpretations of the problem, and while some participants have proposed angles for the reflected light, there is no consensus on the correct approach or solution yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the expectations for the answer and the implications of the angle between the mirrors. There is an acknowledgment of a lack of formal study in optics among some contributors, which may influence their reasoning.

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Homework Statement


A pair of vertical plane mirrors stands with an angle of = 60.5 degrees between them. A pencil of light approaches in a direction parallel to one of them, as shown. After the pencil has left the mirrors, in which direction will it be going? (Give your answer as the angle above the second mirror the light hits.)


Homework Equations





3. The Attempt at a Solution [/b

I am just confused on how they want the answer.
 
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is this how it is?

I'm trying to figure outhow this situation looks. If the diagram I drew is right then logically (since I haven't studied optics yet) if the angle between the mirrors were 90 degrees then then light would hit the other mirror perpendicularly as well, and the light wouldn't hit the mirror the light is parallel to. the angle needs to be less than 90 degrees for the light to hit the mirror that the light is parallel to at all. Since this is the case, I would assume that whatever the angle the light hits the mirror is the difference between 90 degrees and the angle made between the two mirrors. so logically (again only logically) I would say the angle of the reflected light hitting the parallel mirror is 29.5 degrees.

hope that helps, tell me if I'm right that would be awesome if i didn't even look it up.
 

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See I tried that as well and it was incorrect. Nice try though.
 
another try

the other answer I came up with is 59 degrees
 
how did you get that
 
changed tactic

k so then I tried to do it from a bird's eye view (see my diagram)

Since the two mirrors make a 60.5 degree angle that means the parallel light and mirror 2 also make a 60.5 degree angle. Since it comes in at that angle it bounces off mirror two, forming a 60.5 degree angle between the reflected light and mirror 2. once it strike the parallel mirror, it forms a triangle. since triangles have 180 degrees to them and you have to angles, I found the third angle... eh?
 

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Ok I get now, its so obvious its embarassing,
thank you
 

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