Mirror Reflection: Seeing Double?

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    Mirror Reflection
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the optical effects produced by placing two identical mirrors next to each other. Participants explore whether standing between the mirrors would result in seeing multiple reflections or a single image, considering the arrangement and alignment of the mirrors.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether standing between two identical mirrors would result in seeing two reflections or just one, depending on their arrangement.
  • Another participant suggests that if the mirrors are perfectly parallel, one might see one reflection in each mirror, but only if the reflections do not overlap.
  • A later reply mentions the phenomenon of infinite regress of reflections if one were to wave an arm, highlighting the reflective properties of mirrors.
  • Participants share personal experiences with mirrors in various settings, such as barber shops and restaurants, noting that mirrors are often not perfectly parallel, leading to a curving effect in the reflections.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of mirror alignment, with some suggesting that perfect parallelism is necessary for certain outcomes, while others note that real-world mirrors often deviate from this ideal, leading to varied visual experiences.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the alignment and reflectivity of the mirrors that are not fully explored, and the discussion does not resolve the implications of these factors on the reflections seen.

cookiecrunch9
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Hello all,

I have a quick question. If i put two identical mirrors right next to each other on the same surface at the same level and stand in the middle of it will i see two of me or will it act like looking myself if that mirror was one single piece.


Thanks!
 
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cookiecrunch9 said:
Hello all,

I have a quick question. If i put two identical mirrors right next to each other on the same surface at the same level and stand in the middle of it will i see two of me or will it act like looking myself if that mirror was one single piece.


Thanks!
You mean one mirror in front of you and one behind? If they are perfectly parallel, you'll see one reflection in each mirror but only if all the other copies of you are completely eclipsed by the one in front. If you lifted your arm and waved at yourself, you'd see an inifinite regression of arms waving - to the limit of the mirrors reflectivity.

You see this all the time in barber shops.
 
My favorite local pizza restaurant (where I spend too much time to be good for my waistline) has mirrors on facing walls. The mirrors are not quite parallel, so I see a sequence of many images, gradually curving upward until they "disappear" beyond the top edge of the mirrors.
 
jtbell said:
My favorite local pizza restaurant (where I spend too much time to be good for my waistline) has mirrors on facing walls. The mirrors are not quite parallel, so I see a sequence of many images, gradually curving upward until they "disappear" beyond the top edge of the mirrors.
Yep. In reality, the mirrors are rarely parallel, creating this curving effect.

Another common place: elevators with mirrored walls.
 

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