| MadSci Network: Physics |
The mirror does not actually "make" the objects closer! The wording on the mirror actually means that, because the IMAGE of the object looks smaller than the real object, the object looks a lot farther away than it really is. If it were a flat mirror (and it's NOT flat!!) the object's perceived distance would be the same as its actual distance. But the mirrors that you refer to are NOT flat; they are convex, which means they bulge toward you in the middle. This previous answer on our site explains why objects appear smaller in convex mirrors.
I hope this helps!!
John Link, MadSci Physicist
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics.