The tangent and perpendicular of a mirror

In summary, the tangent of a mirror is a line that touches the mirror at a 90 degree angle and helps determine the direction of light rays. It is related to the angle of incidence, which is the angle at which an incoming light ray strikes the mirror. The perpendicular of a mirror is a line that is perpendicular to the mirror's surface and is used to calculate the angle of reflection. It is also used in conjunction with the angle of incidence to determine an object's position in relation to the mirror. Both the tangent and perpendicular of a mirror can be used with the law of reflection and trigonometry to calculate an object's position.
  • #1
shihab-kol
119
8
The tangent passes through just one point
Now i can draw it such that the angle of incidence is always 0 and incident angle is always 90
Then no image will be formed.
Why does this not happen??
 
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  • #2
A tangent passes through just one point of a curved line or surface, but does not cross it at that point. It doesn't sound as though you are talking about any curved surfaces.
 

1. What is the tangent of a mirror?

The tangent of a mirror refers to a line that touches the mirror at only one point, creating a 90 degree angle with the mirror's surface. This line is also known as the "line of sight" and helps determine the direction of light rays reflecting off the mirror.

2. How is the tangent of a mirror related to the angle of incidence?

The angle of incidence, or the angle at which an incoming light ray strikes the mirror, is directly related to the tangent of the mirror. When a light ray hits the mirror at a 90 degree angle, it will be tangent to the mirror's surface. As the angle of incidence increases, the tangent of the mirror will decrease.

3. What is the perpendicular of a mirror?

The perpendicular of a mirror is a line that is perpendicular, or at a 90 degree angle, to the mirror's surface. This line is also known as the "normal line" and is used to determine the angle of reflection of a light ray off the mirror's surface.

4. How is the perpendicular of a mirror used in calculating the angle of reflection?

The perpendicular of a mirror is used in conjunction with the angle of incidence to calculate the angle of reflection. The angle of reflection is equal to the angle of incidence, meaning the normal line and the reflected light ray will be on the same side of the mirror and form an equal angle with the mirror's surface.

5. Can the tangent and perpendicular of a mirror be used to determine an object's position?

Yes, the tangent and perpendicular of a mirror can be used in conjunction with the law of reflection to determine the position of an object in relation to the mirror. By measuring the angles of incidence and reflection, the distance between the object and the mirror can be calculated using trigonometry.

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