Why do mirrors reverse left and right but not up and down?

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    Mirrors Reverse
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of how mirrors reflect images, specifically addressing why mirrors appear to reverse left and right but not up and down. Participants explore the nature of reflection and the perception of orientation in mirrored images.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that mirrors do not actually reverse left-right or up-down, but rather reverse front-back, suggesting that the orientation of the head and hands remains consistent in the reflection.
  • Another participant proposes that mirrors can reflect images as 'upside down' depending on the angle of reflection, indicating variability in how reflection is perceived.
  • A reference to the Usenet Physics FAQ is provided, though its content is not elaborated upon in the discussion.
  • Some participants introduce unrelated topics, questioning the identities of Trimotio and Fineas, comparing them to common fictional names like Alice and Bob, and speculating on their significance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the nature of how mirrors reverse images, with multiple competing views presented regarding the interpretation of left-right versus up-down reversal.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of reflection and perception that are not fully explored or defined, leaving some points unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts of optics, perception, and the philosophical implications of mirrored images.

ryan_kidz
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why do mirrors reverse left and right but not up and down?

thank you very much.
Ryan.
 
Science news on Phys.org
Mirrors do not reverse up-down nor left-right. Your (up) head is always up and your right hand is always at right.

What a mirror reverse is front-back. If you are heading North, your image is heading south.
 
A mirror can reflect 'upside down'---it just depends on the angle of reflection.
 
From the Usenet Physics FAQ:

http://www.physics.adelaide.edu.au/~dkoks/Faq/General/mirrors.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm wondering who the hell Trimotio and Fineas are. Like Alice and Bob, or are they random names, or what?
 
I thought they were the 1/2 wave virtual non-local representative ghost MWI counter-equivalents of Bob and Alice.
 

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