So i like studying physics, and i was wondering… If i am correct, mirror looks like mirror because it reflects light… And paper seems “white” because it reflects light..
Yet we can’t see our reflection… Why?
In: 3
Paper is a diffuse surface, while a mirror is specular. Diffuse means simply that light hitting the surface reflects in a random direction. So when looking at paper you are seeing the light from everything in the area bouncing off the paper
A specular surface like a mirror, the light that hits the mirror reflects off at the same angle relative to the surface. So when you look at the surface you are seeing the light from a single source.
In truth, everything is somewhere in between. Like a foggy mirror, there is still a clear reflection, but you see a lot of other things as well. Also, a diffuse surface doesn’t really reflect light in every direction, at least not equally. More light shines normal to the surface than along the surface. But that’s the concept.
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