Thought Experiment regarding light and mirrors...
August 22, 2006 8:24 PM Subscribe
Thought Experiment regarding light and mirrors...
What would you see if you stood inside a perfectly spherical mirror (lets say its 8 ft. tall/diameter, the height of a ceiling in our house)? The mirror coating the entire inside of the sphere is perfectly smooth, with no seams.
The first problem that i encounter is light. So however you want to illuminate this enclosed structure is fine with me, but try and keep it unobtrusive.
What would you see if you stood inside a perfectly spherical mirror (lets say its 8 ft. tall/diameter, the height of a ceiling in our house)? The mirror coating the entire inside of the sphere is perfectly smooth, with no seams.
The first problem that i encounter is light. So however you want to illuminate this enclosed structure is fine with me, but try and keep it unobtrusive.
This post was deleted for the following reason: this exact question hasbeen asked before
This has, surprisingly enough, been asked before. Perhaps this thread will help.
posted by JMOZ at 8:27 PM on August 22, 2006
posted by JMOZ at 8:27 PM on August 22, 2006
Great question. I know nothing about the physics of such a thing, but my instinct is that you really wouldn't see anything other than your reflection. My logic is this, if it's perfectly spherical any reflection of a reflection would be blocked by your own body.
I could be totally wrong, but that seems to make sense in my head.
posted by quin at 8:32 PM on August 22, 2006
I could be totally wrong, but that seems to make sense in my head.
posted by quin at 8:32 PM on August 22, 2006
I believe it's been asked before because it was asked in print, by, I think, Spider Robinson.
posted by baylink at 9:03 PM on August 22, 2006
posted by baylink at 9:03 PM on August 22, 2006
Go read that thread, it's a good one. My answer is the best, of course.
posted by intermod at 9:04 PM on August 22, 2006
posted by intermod at 9:04 PM on August 22, 2006
[ clicks through previously; is embarassed, but pleased. ]
posted by baylink at 9:04 PM on August 22, 2006
posted by baylink at 9:04 PM on August 22, 2006
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by misterbrandt at 8:27 PM on August 22, 2006