11 Facts About Mirrors

Mirrors are used in optical and scientific apparatus such as telescopes, lasers, cameras, periscopes, and industrial machinery.

Mirrors are often produced by the wet deposition of silver, or sometimes nickel or chromium via electroplating directly onto the glass substrate.

Mirrors can be classified in many ways; including by shape, support, reflective materials, manufacturing methods, and intended application.

Mirrors that are meant to precisely concentrate parallel rays of light into a point are usually made in the shape of a paraboloid of revolution instead; they are used in telescopes, in antennas to communicate with broadcast satellites, and in solar furnaces.

Mirrors that reflect only part of the light, while transmitting some of the rest, can be made with very thin metal layers or suitable combinations of dielectric layers.

Mirrors are usually manufactured by either polishing a naturally reflective material, such as speculum metal, or by applying a reflective coating to a suitable polished substrate.

Mirrors can be manufactured to a wide range of engineering tolerances, including reflectivity, surface quality, surface roughness, or transmissivity, depending on the desired application.

Mirrors can be used to attract the attention of search-and-rescue parties.

Mirrors can be used to produce enhanced lighting effects in greenhouses or conservatories.

Mirrors are a popular design-theme in architecture, particularly with late modern and post-modernist high-rise buildings in major cities.

Mirrors are frequently used in interior decoration and as ornaments:.