MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Why does light reflected from a cylindrical object project a 'heart' shape?

Date: Fri Aug 24 02:52:26 2007
Posted by Aureala
Grade level: grad (science) School: No school entered.
City: No city entered. State/Province: No state entered. Country: Hong Kong
Area of science: Physics
ID: 1187949146.Ph
Message:

For years, I have noticed that light reflected from a cylindrical object (e.g. 
a metal ring, a mug, a metallic watch rim) projects a double-arch 'heart' 
shape in the middle of the circle. While many websites talk about reflections 
from concave and convex mirrors, I have not yet been able to find one that 
demonstrates what happens when the mirror is a complete circle. How does 
this 'heart' pattern emerge? Can it be predicted / calculated? Thanks!


Re: Why does light reflected from a cylindrical object project a 'heart' shape?

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