Images in Plane Mirrors (lesson 5)

Question 1

Plane mirrors are

Answer 1

flat and smooth

Question 2

Images in Plane Mirrors

Answer 2

L – same distance

O – reversed

S – same size

T – virtual

Question 3

Light reflecting off of plane mirrors follow

Answer 3

predictable characteristic behaviour

Question 4

Car Rearview Mirrors

Answer 4

Cars use plane mirrors for the rearview mirrors.
They are useful to view behind drivers because plane
mirrors always produce upright images.
Additionally, the size of the images produced are the
same as the original object which provides drivers
with a good perspective of what’s happening behind
them. The only challenge is that images produced in
plane mirrors are reversed – this is why emergency
vehicles write their services backwards in the front of the vehicle!

Question 5

Stealth Aircrafts

Answer 5

Stealth aircrafts don’t necessarily use plane
mirrors, but they apply the idea of reflection in
flat surfaces. Aircrafts are generally tracked
when satellites emit signals into the air which
are reflected from the aircraft back to the
satellite – this works because most aircrafts are
rounded in their shape which spreads the signals in various directions (including back to the
satellite). Stealth aircrafts are different because they are completely flat on the bottom and have
flat surfaces all over the aircraft. Based on the law of reflection, these signals are not spread
out. Instead, these signals get reflected at the same angle it came in at back towards the ground
(or space). Stealth aircrafts also have special paint and tape that absorb various wavelengths
which makes it even more difficult to detect!