Why do two facing mirrors create multiple reflections?

[AaronGaTech]

When you use two mirrors facing each other, an object in between them can be seen a lot of times. I understand why, but can really describe it in any detail. Can anybody explain with some depth why this happens.

 

[hikaru1221]

It is because light is reflected A LOT of times Light from the object forms the 1st image when reflected by one mirror, then forms the 2nd image when reflected by the other mirror, and then the 3rd image, 4th image and so on are formed in the same way. You may understand it in another way: the object first forms 2 images via 2 mirrors; then the 2 images form another 2 "images of image", and then there are another 2 images formed, etc.

Theoretically, if the reflection is perfect, then you will have light reflected infinite times. In fact, light energy loses gradually on its path (the air and the mirrors do absorb light energy), so when you look at one of the two big mirrors, you will see some dark regions. It's kind of scary when standing between two big mirrors in the fitting room