Why do mirrors reflect images?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Smooth surface bounces light back
Smooth surface bounces light back ✓ — Correct! Mirrors have smooth, reflective surfaces (typically silver/aluminum coating on glass). When light hits the smooth surface, it reflects at the same angle it arrived (law of reflection: angle of incidence = angle of reflection). The smooth surface preserves the image because all points reflect consistently. Rough surfaces scatter light, preventing clear images!
Silver coating creates copies — Wrong. Silver coating provides reflectivity, but mirrors work through reflection laws—smooth surfaces bounce light at matching angles, creating images.
Mirrors reverse light direction — Wrong. Mirrors do reverse images laterally (left-right flip), but they work through specular reflection—smooth surfaces bouncing light at consistent angles.
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