Mirrors reflecting images infinitely

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the issue of infinite reflections caused by two parallel mirrors in a bathroom. Participants suggest that the most effective solution is to remove one of the mirrors. Alternatives such as slightly changing the angle of one mirror or using a semi-transparent mirror are discussed, but these methods offer limited effectiveness. Ultimately, the consensus is that the simplest and most definitive solution is to eliminate one mirror to avoid the nauseating effect of infinite reflections.

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This discussion is beneficial for interior designers, homeowners in the construction phase, and anyone interested in the practical applications of optics in everyday settings.

adrian99
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Hi Everyone,

This is a physics problem but also an everyday home one I'm trying to resolve. In our bathroom, we have two mirrors on opposite walls (parallel walls)... because of this, they reflect images of the person between them infinitely many times - it's actually quite a bit nauseating to someone in the household. Besides the obvious solution of removing one of the mirrors, is there a way to prevent this infinite effect?

For example, slightly changing the angle of a mirror (although it may still reflect in some angles probably?) or maybe changing one of the mirrors to a mirror that is a window on one side and a mirror on the other (would light get trapped?)... or perhaps adding a mirror like that in front of one of the mirrors... Not really sure what can be done. The house is in its final stages of construction so things can be changed slightly.

Thanks!
Adrian
 
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An angle between the mirrors will limit the amount of images one can see.

Remove one of the mirrors? Make them less reflective?

or maybe changing one of the mirrors to a mirror that is a window on one side and a mirror on the other
That does not exist. You can get that illusion with a semi-transparent mirror if one side of the mirror is much brighter than the other side, but it is just an illusion.
 
Just remove one of the mirrors. Changing the angle of one slightly will have limited effect on the number of images but may make the effect appear to move around more when the person moves.
 
I recall an episode of the original Batman TV show from the 60's in which Batman suspects he is being observered by someone behind a one-way mirror...

Batman picks up a small mirror and holds it up to the one-way mirror, and is able to see the guy behind the glass of the one-way mirror in the reflection of the little mirror's image in the one-way mirror.
 
bahamagreen said:
I recall an episode of the original Batman TV show from the 60's in which Batman suspects he is being observered by someone behind a one-way mirror...

Batman picks up a small mirror and holds it up to the one-way mirror, and is able to see the guy behind the glass of the one-way mirror in the reflection of the little mirror's image in the one-way mirror.
I did not analyze it in detail, but I doubt this would work.
 
An infinite bathroom? A planner's nightmare. Would you need to pay virtual rates on the extra virtual floor area?
 
mfb said:
I did not analyze it in detail, but I doubt this would work.

You must be correct. The image in his mirror would be the same as what he would see, looking directly, I reckon.
The only way would be for him to go up close to the mirror and use his cape over his head to exclude light from the room he's in (like a victorian photographer). Then the observer's side would be brighter and the caped crusader could see. But not very good cinema, perhaps.
 
Thanks for the replies... sounds like I'm basically out of luck... will probably have to remove a mirror or just live with the infinite reflections!
 

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