Mirrors: why, when they are flat on a wall, can you see reflections of things not immediately parallel to the mirror?

Question

I’ve looked this up and I don’t understand the physics and need a stupid simple explanation please!

In: 2

Answer 1

Mirror reflect light. They are not camera that capture stuff in front of them and playback.

To see how reflection work, imagine you’re playing billiard. The ball hit a wall and bounce back. That’s the same path light ray take when it bounces upon a flat mirror.

Answer 2

Mirror reflect light. They are not camera that capture stuff in front of them and playback.

To see how reflection work, imagine you’re playing billiard. The ball hit a wall and bounce back. That’s the same path light ray take when it bounces upon a flat mirror.