answersLogoWhite

0

Because it is shiny; therefore it acts as a mirror.What happens physically, which permits a mirror to act as a mirror, is that any deviation from a perfectly flat shape - any imperfection - is considerably smaller than the wavelength of visible light.

User Avatar

Wiki User

9y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about General Science

Can we see your reflection in a dark room on the mirror?

It may be possible if there is enough light in the room to see an outline of your reflection in the mirror. Or, your eyes may adjust to the dimness of the room and you may see a faint outline of your reflection in the mirror.


Why can you see your reflection on a shiny surface?

Sometimes, water can act as a mirror. The light that the sun gives off has bounced off of you into the water. When the light reaches the surface of the water, it can do two things. Firstly, it can be refracted underneath the surface. Secondly, it can be reflected back at you and into your eye. Usually, both occurs, although whether enough reflection occurs to make you see your reflection or not depends on several factors. Your eye does something similar. It picks up the light from the sun that has bounced off of objects and creates a picture out of it. While the water acts like a mirror and your eye acts like a lens, the concept is very similar.


Can you see your reflection on an uneven surface?

Depends on what you are reflecting ON... If it's not a clear or mirror like surface... then no, if it is, you can still see your reflection on an uneven surface... Why don't you actually EXPERIMENT and try to see it for yourself?


Imagine that you are a fish underwater When you look up to the surface to the water you can see the sky and also the bottom of the pool How do you explain this unusual view?

Reflection and refraction. You see the reflection on the bottom of the surface of the pool. You see the refraction of light through the surface of the pool. This is the super short answer...someone else might provide more information but the reader can "google" reflection and refraction to find out more.


Why mirror is opaque?

You cannot see through a mirror, you can see the reflection coming off.

Related Questions

What can you see your reflection in?

In a shiny pot, a shiny pan, other shiny cooking utensils and cooking-ware, a mirror, and in clear water.


What process occur when light bounces off a smooth shiny surface?

When light bounces off a smooth, shiny surface, the process that occurs is reflection. The light waves bounce off the surface at the same angle they hit it, creating a clear reflection of the light source. This process is responsible for our ability to see our own reflection in mirrors and other shiny surfaces.


Why can you see you're reflection in polished metal?

You can see your reflection in polished metal because the metal surface is very smooth and acts like a mirror, reflecting light in a way that allows you to see yourself. The smoothness of the surface allows light to bounce off and create a clear image, similar to how you see your reflection in a regular mirror.


Why can you see your reflection in a spoon?

You can see your reflection in a spoon because its surface is smooth and shiny, acting like a mirror to reflect light. The curvature of the spoon also helps concentrate light, making the reflection more clear.


Why can you see your reflection in a spoon but not in a piece of cloth?

You can see your reflection in a spoon because it has a smooth and shiny surface that can reflect light rays. A piece of cloth has a rough and absorbent surface that scatters the light instead of reflecting it, making it impossible to see a clear reflection.


Can you see yourself in shiny metal?

Yeah. A mirror, chrome, etc.


Where might you see reflection?

You might see reflection in mirrors, glass surfaces, calm bodies of water, and polished metal surfaces. Reflection occurs when light bounces off a surface and changes its direction.


Why you are not able to see your reflection?

If someone is not able to see their reflection, it could be because the surface they are looking at is not reflective, such as a rough or non-shiny surface. Additionally, if the lighting is too dim or if there is no light source available, it may not create a reflection. Physical obstructions or distortions in the mirror could also prevent a clear reflection.


Why can you see your reflection better in a price of metal if you Polish the surface?

A clean metallic surface appears shiny because it is reflecting light. The interaction is due to the conductivity of the surface of the metal. When surface conditions change, the reflectivity is reduced.


Is aluminum dull or shiny?

Aluminium metal is shiny. However, it is a very reactive metal with oxygen (air). So if a piece is cut in the lab. you may briefly, (a second or two) see a shiny metal. It then rapidly oxides to form the impervious layer of aluminium oxide , which is dull in appearance. So domestic aluminium pots and pans , whilst made of aluminium, the surface that you see is actually aluminium oxide(dull).


What would you see if you were holding a metal that had luster?

If the metal had a metallic luster, on a freshly exposed, non-weathered surface, you would see a somewhat shiny, opaque surface.


How are light waves reflected off of a shiny surface like a mirror?

Light waves are reflected off a shiny surface like a mirror due to the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. When light waves hit a mirror, they bounce off in a predictable manner, allowing us to see a clear reflection of the objects in front of the mirror.