Click or press space #science #light-and-matter Why it happens: A mirror is a sheet of glass holding up an extremely thin layer of reflective metal. The metal comes in the form of a metallic salt which can be dissolved in liquid and sprayed onto the glass in a process called silvering. That is because silver nitrate was the first stuff used for it. Most modern mirrors are silvered with aluminum which is cheaper and sturdier, but silvering does not make perfect mirrors; they reflect most light but a little is still transmitted through infinitesimal gaps in the reflective metal layer, so everyday mirrors receive an opaque backing like dark paint. This stops any photons that slip through the metal layer and protects it from scratches! Without the backing you would be able to faintly see the wall behind the mirror. Manufacturers of transparent mirrors spray an even thinner less dense layer of metal on the glass meaning it reflects less light for example, let's say half the light of an ordinary mirror the rest passes straight through the glass like It's a window, which It is, a transparent mirror with its sparse silvering and lack of backing is just a very reflective window and It's a window from both sides. So how come the student sees his reflection but the teacher sees the student? It's a trick of the light. The observer room is kept dark while the student's room is lit up so on the teachers side more light is coming through the glass than being reflected from the room and from the students side more light is reflecting from the room then being transmitted through the glass. It is like when it is late at night, and you have all the lights on. You can't really see out your window, but someone outside could see into your house! If you read this far leave a heart FOR SCIENCE ☜ (↼_↼) Also comment if you learned something!
