dimanche, mars 07, 2004
Does a mirror reverse left and right? it is more accurate to say that a mirror reverses the relative positions of points along a line perpendicular to, not parallel to, the mirror. For example, if you stand on a mirror that is lying flat on the floor, the mirror reverses the relative positions of your feet and head, which are nearer and farther from the mirror. Why then do we say that a mirror reverses left and right? We say this because our bodies are bilaterally symmetrical. when you stand in front of a wall mirror and hold up your right hand, your reflection seems to hold up its left hand, so we say a mirror reverses left and right. but you could say it reverses front and back: Imagine walking straight forward into your reflection, matching head to head, feet to feet, hands to hands, and heart to heart. everything fits, but your front and back are reversed. so you could say, although it's less intuitive that a mirror reverses top and bottom, or front and back.
Discover magazine :: december 2003
Does a mirror reverse left and right? it is more accurate to say that a mirror reverses the relative positions of points along a line perpendicular to, not parallel to, the mirror. For example, if you stand on a mirror that is lying flat on the floor, the mirror reverses the relative positions of your feet and head, which are nearer and farther from the mirror. Why then do we say that a mirror reverses left and right? We say this because our bodies are bilaterally symmetrical. when you stand in front of a wall mirror and hold up your right hand, your reflection seems to hold up its left hand, so we say a mirror reverses left and right. but you could say it reverses front and back: Imagine walking straight forward into your reflection, matching head to head, feet to feet, hands to hands, and heart to heart. everything fits, but your front and back are reversed. so you could say, although it's less intuitive that a mirror reverses top and bottom, or front and back.
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