Mirrors

A mirror is a smooth object that reflects light very well. Most mirrors are made of glass with a shiny metal coating on the back. When you look into a mirror, you see a clear picture of yourself. Mirrors work because of the way light bounces off them.

How Mirrors Work

Light bounces off a mirror in a neat, even way. The smooth surface keeps the light rays in order. Your eyes see the bounced light and your brain makes a picture. This picture is called a reflection. In a flat mirror, the image looks the same size as the real object but flipped left to right.

Different Kinds of Mirrors

Not all mirrors are flat. A curved mirror that bends inward can make things look bigger. Makeup mirrors and telescopes use this kind. A mirror that bends outward makes things look smaller but shows a wider view. Stores use them to see many people at once. Cars have curved mirrors to help drivers see more of the road.

Fun Facts

• The first mirrors were made from polished stones thousands of years ago.
• A funhouse has wavy mirrors that make you look tall, short, or wiggly.
• The largest telescope mirrors are over 30 feet wide.

Did You Know?

When you look in a mirror, your reflection is reversed, so writing looks backwards but your face looks almost the same.