Mirrors show our faces because they have special shiny surfaces. When light comes from you, it bounces off the mirror and goes back to your eyes, letting you see yourself. But not all things are as shiny, like a piece of paper or a wall, so you can’t always see reflections in them.
Examples
- When you look into a mirror, your face appears because the mirror’s surface reflects the light coming from you. Smooth surface is key here.
- A rough wall doesn’t show your reflection well, as it scatters the light instead of sending it back directly to your eyes.
- Specular reflection happens in a smooth lake, on calm days, you can see yourself, but on windy days, the water becomes rough and no longer reflects clearly.
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See also
- Why Does Time Seem to Fly When You're Having Fun?
- What Causes the Sky to Change Colors at Sunset?
- What Causes the Northern Lights?
- What Causes a ‘Golden’ Sunset or Sunrise?
- How Does a Mirror Work Exactly?
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Categories: Physics · Reflection,Optics,Surfaces