Two plain mirrors incline at an unknown angle forms two images. Find the value of the angles.

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1 answer

To find the angle between the two mirrors, we can use the law of reflection. According to the law of reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection.

Let's say the angle between the mirrors is x.

The first mirror reflects light at an angle of x/2 degrees.
The second mirror reflects light at an angle of x/2 degrees as well.

When two mirrors reflect light, the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray is twice the angle of reflection. Therefore, the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray from the first mirror is x degrees, and the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray from the second mirror is also x degrees.

Now, we have two triangles formed: a triangle formed by the incident ray and the reflected ray from the first mirror, and a triangle formed by the reflected ray from the first mirror and the reflected ray from the second mirror.

Using the law of reflection, we know that the sum of the angles in a triangle is 180 degrees. Thus, we can write the following equation:

180 - (x + 90) + (x + 90) + x = 180

Simplifying this equation, we get:

180 - x - 90 + x + 90 + x = 180

Simplifying further, we have:

180 - x = 180

Subtracting 180 from both sides of the equation, we get:

-x = 0

Dividing by -1, we find:

x = 0

Therefore, the angle between the two mirrors is 0 degrees.

Please note that in this scenario, we assumed that the mirrors are positioned in a way that allows for the formation of distinct images. If the mirrors were positioned parallel to each other or at certain angles, it might not be possible to form distinct images.