What Happens When You Put Two Mirrors In Front Of Each Other

Parallel mirrors, creating reflections that appear to recede to infinity

A classic infinity mirror used as a wall decoration

The infinity mirror (also sometimes called an infinite mirror) is a configuration of two or more parallel or about parallel mirrors, creating a series of smaller and smaller reflections that appear to recede to infinity.^[1] ^[ii] Oftentimes the front mirror of an infinity mirror is half-silvered (a then-called i mode mirror), but this is non required to produce the effect. A similar advent in artworks has been chosen the Droste consequence. Infinity mirrors are sometimes used as room accents or in works of art.^[3]

Clarification [edit]

An infinity mirror effect viewed between the mirrors

In a classic self-contained infinity mirror, a set of light bulbs, LEDs, or other betoken-source lights are placed around the periphery of a fully reflective mirror, and a second, partially reflective "i-way mirror" is placed a short distance in front of it, in a parallel alignment. When an outside observer looks into the surface of the partially reflective mirror, the lights announced to recede into infinity, creating the appearance of a tunnel of swell depth that is lined with lights.^[2]

If the mirrors are not precisely parallel simply instead are canted at a slight bending, the "visual tunnel" will be perceived to be curved off to one side, every bit it recedes into infinity.

Alternatively, this effect can too be seen when an observer stands between two parallel fully reflective mirrors, every bit in some dressing rooms, some elevators, or a house of mirrors.^[1] A weaker version of this consequence can exist seen by standing between whatever two parallel reflective surfaces, such as the glass walls of a small entry foyer into some buildings. The partially-cogitating drinking glass produces this sensation, diluted past the visual noise of the views through the glass into the surrounding surround.

Explanation of outcome [edit]

Computer simulation image of repeatedly reflected shapes - notation that alternating reflections are reversed - this is typical of the effect

The 3D illusion mirror effect is produced whenever there are two parallel reflective surfaces which can bounce a axle of calorie-free back and forth an indefinite (theoretically space) number of times. The reflections announced to recede into the distance because the low-cal actually is traversing the distance it appears to exist traveling.

For case, in a two-centimeter-thick infinity mirror, with the light sources halfway between, light from the source initially travels one centimeter. The first reflection travels one centimeter to the rear mirror and and so two centimeters to, and through the forepart mirror, a total of three centimeters. The 2nd reflection travels ii centimeters from front mirror to dorsum mirror, and again two centimeters from the back mirror to, and through the forepart mirror, totaling four centimeters, plus the first reflection (three centimeters) making the second reflection seven centimeters away from the front mirror. Each successive reflection adds four more than centimeters to the total (the third reflection appears 11 centimeters deep, quaternary 15 centimeters, and then on).^[1] ^[4]

Each additional reflection adds length to the path the low-cal must travel earlier exiting the mirror and reaching the viewer. Each reflection of the low-cal reduces the effulgence of the prototype, which also fades into the distance.

Cultural references [edit]

Visual artists, specially gimmicky sculptors, have made use of infinity mirrors. Yayoi Kusama, Josiah McElheny, Ivan Navarro, Taylor Davis, Anthony James,^[5] and Guillaume Lachapelle^[6] have all produced works that use the infinity mirror to expand the awareness of unlimited space in their artworks.

The contemporary classical composer Arvo Pärt wrote his 1978 composition Spiegel im Spiegel ("mirror in the mirror") every bit a musical reflection on the infinity mirror effect.

Run into also [edit]

Corner reflector – Retroreflector with three orthogonal, intersecting flat surfaces
Kaleidoscope – Optical instrument to view patterns due to repeated reflection
Mirror epitome
Optical cavity
Recursion § In art
Droste consequence – Recursive visual effect
Video feedback – Loop delay that occurs when a video camera is pointed at its own playback video monitor

References [edit]

^ ^a ^b ^c Gbur, Gregory J. (July 30, 2022). "Infinity is weird… even in infinity mirrors!". Skulls in the Stars: The intersection of physics, eyes, history and lurid fiction . Retrieved 2015-06-04 .
^ ^a ^b Finio, Ben. "Arduino-controlled RGB LED Infinity Mirror". Instructables. Autodesk, Inc. Retrieved 2015-06-04 .
^ Grimes, William (December 1, 2022). "Lights, Mirrors, Instagram! #ArtSensation". The New York Times . Retrieved 2015-06-04 .
^ "Await Into Infinity". Exploratorium Snacks. Exploratorium. Retrieved 2015-06-04 .
^ "Five Highlights from SOFA 2022". American Craft Council.
^ http://cbc.ca/arts/the-world-of-diorama-artist-guillaume-lachapelle-reels-off-into-infinity-i.3174056