Mirrors and how they reflect them

[cbrons]

Homework Statement

Just a general question regarding mirrors and how they reflect them. If you take three household mirrors and look at an object or yourself, how does the type of mirror correlate with the amount (subjective) of distortion? Ie. If you look at yourself in a mirror that is wider than and captures the image of the living room behind you is that as accurate as a small 15x8in mirror in the bathroom? How about a 3x3 foot mirror? Does the small mirror make things appear larger than they are? This may actually be a psych question related to perception (do smaller mirrors reflect large things even larger or wider,whatever as they are?)

Homework Equations

None

The Attempt at a Solution

I think the living room mirror that is the widest is the most accurate when the object or person is standing right next to it.

 

[Shooting Star]

I don't understand what you are trying to mean by "accuracy" of a mirror. All plane mirrors preserve the size of the object, irrespective of the size of the mirrors, small mirrors included.

(Perhaps this thread should be shifted some other section.)

 

[Moetasim]

However, as you move further away from the mirror, the image may become distorted due to the angle of reflection. The small bathroom mirror may provide a more accurate reflection at a farther distance, but it may also make objects appear larger due to its smaller size. The size of the mirror does not necessarily determine the amount of distortion, as it also depends on the quality of the mirror's surface and the angle of reflection. As for perception, it is possible that smaller mirrors may make objects appear larger or wider due to the way our brains interpret visual information. This is a topic that falls under the field of cognitive psychology and would require further research and experimentation to fully understand. Overall, the type of mirror and its size can affect the accuracy and perception of a reflected image, but there are other factors to consider as well.