The Mirascope Optical Illusion Mirage WITH RAY DIAGRAM SOLUTION, PHYS 122

Summary

This video demonstrates the fascinating optical illusion created by a pair of concave mirrors, known as a 'mirrorscope.' The illusion makes it appear as though objects, like a penny or a frog, exist in mid-air, even though they are physically placed below the mirrors. Through a detailed explanation of ray diagrams and mirror principles, the video reveals how these mirrors form virtual and real images. The video also includes a puzzling interaction with laser light, challenging viewers to understand how rays interact within the mirrorscope.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video explains how a mirrorscope, a pair of concave mirrors shaped like a clamshell, creates an optical illusion.
• 😀 The penny shown in the video is not real but is a mirage created by the reflection of light from two concave mirrors.
• 😀 When a pen is poked through the image of the penny, the pen passes through it, highlighting the illusion.
• 😀 The real penny is actually sitting below the mirrors, and removing the mirrors reveals it.
• 😀 The illusion becomes even more pronounced with a 3D object, like a plastic frog, which appears to be floating in space due to the mirrors.
• 😀 The mirrors are concave and reflect light in such a way that the image appears three-dimensional, even though it's not.
• 😀 A black paper is used to further emphasize the illusion, convincing the viewer that the image of the frog is real.
• 😀 Ray diagrams are used to explain the optics of the illusion, showing how light reflects and forms the image of the frog in both mirrors.
• 😀 The top mirror (Mirror 1) creates a virtual image of the frog, which serves as the object for the second mirror (Mirror 2).
• 😀 The final image formed by the mirrors is a real image, not a virtual one, because it is created by actual reflected light, not just by the perceived intersection of rays.

Q & A

What is a mirrorscope?

A mirrorscope is an optical device consisting of a pair of concave mirrors shaped like a clamshell. It produces a mirage or optical illusion, where an object like a penny appears to float in space, even though it isn't really there.

How does the penny in the mirrorscope illusion work?

The penny appears to be floating above the bottom mirror due to the reflections from the concave mirrors. The image of the penny is a virtual mirage, created by the interaction of light rays reflected from both mirrors, which is not physically real.

Can you interact with the image of the penny in the mirrorscope?

No, the image of the penny is not a real object. While you can 'poke' it with a pen, the pen passes through the image because it exists only as a reflection, not as a solid object.

Where is the real penny located in the mirrorscope setup?

The real penny is located at the bottom of the two concave mirrors, beneath the image produced by the mirrorscope illusion.

What happens when the top mirror is placed back on the mirrorscope?

When the top mirror is placed back on, the illusion of the penny reappears in the space above the real penny, which can still be 'poked' through, reinforcing the mirage effect.

How does the three-dimensional illusion of the frog work in the mirrorscope?

The frog, like the penny, appears as a three-dimensional image due to the reflective properties of the concave mirrors. The real frog is located at the bottom of the mirrors, while the image is projected above it in space, creating the illusion of depth.

What happens if the hole in the mirrorscope is covered with black paper?

When the hole is covered with black paper, the illusion of the image becomes more convincing because the real object (the frog) is hidden, making it harder for viewers to distinguish between the mirage and the real object.

What is the purpose of the ray diagram in the script?

The ray diagram is used to visually explain the path of light rays that create the optical illusion. It shows how rays from the real frog pass through the concave mirrors, get reflected, and eventually form the image in space.

Why are the mirrors in the mirrorscope described as parabolic?

The mirrors are parabolic because they reflect light rays in such a way that rays originating from the focal point of one mirror are reflected parallel to the optical axis. This is a key characteristic that allows the mirrorscope to form clear, convincing images.

Is the image produced by the mirrorscope considered real or virtual?

The image produced by the mirrorscope is a real image because it is formed by actual light rays. Despite being a virtual image from the perspective of one mirror, the overall image is formed with real light and can be observed with real-world interactions, such as a laser beam reflecting off it.

What happens when a laser is pointed at the image in the mirrorscope?

When a laser is pointed at the image in the mirrorscope, it appears as though the laser light is bouncing directly off the image. However, in reality, the laser light is reflecting off the real object (e.g., the penny) beneath the illusion, not off the image itself.

Why does the laser beam appear to reflect off the image in the mirrorscope?

The laser beam appears to reflect off the image due to the alignment of light rays through the mirrors. However, in reality, the laser is reflecting off the real object, like the penny or frog, which is below the surface where the mirage image is projected.