11-01-2017, 09:48 AM
Yes, Mr. Vadim, your concept is correct.
Physics teaches us that to get a mirror-like reflection, the reflector has to be significantly larger than the wavelength of the imaging light. Good reflectivity of metals is given by the existence of so called free electrons, which not only transmit electric current, but can oscillate with the incident light also.
When light encounters an obstacle (e.g. our edge) which is comparable in size to its wavelength, than the light bends around this obstacle. This behaviour is called diffraction - the light breaks up into different directions.
Jan
P.S.:
Source: Wikipedia, Mount Hood reflected in Mirror Lake, Oregon.
Physics teaches us that to get a mirror-like reflection, the reflector has to be significantly larger than the wavelength of the imaging light. Good reflectivity of metals is given by the existence of so called free electrons, which not only transmit electric current, but can oscillate with the incident light also.
When light encounters an obstacle (e.g. our edge) which is comparable in size to its wavelength, than the light bends around this obstacle. This behaviour is called diffraction - the light breaks up into different directions.
Jan
P.S.:
Source: Wikipedia, Mount Hood reflected in Mirror Lake, Oregon.