Why can I see myself in a mirror?
You see yourself because light bounces off you, hits the mirror, and bounces back.
Pip’s answer
- You see yourself because light bounces off you, hits the mirror, and bounces back.
- A mirror is super smooth and shiny, so light bounces off neatly.
- The bounced light goes into your eyes, and you see you! Hi, you!
- Ooh, when you lift your right hand, mirror you lifts the other one!
For grown-ups
Light bounces off you, travels to the mirror, and reflects back to your eyes. A mirror's surface is extremely smooth, so the light reflects neatly in an orderly way, forming a clear image. Rough surfaces scatter light in all directions, so they don't show reflections.
Ask your child: What other shiny things can you see yourself in?
More questions kids ask
- 👤Why do I have a shadow?
- 🌤️Why is the sky blue?
- 👀Why do we have two eyes?
- 🍎Why do things fall down?
- 🧲Why do magnets stick?
- 🫧Why are bubbles round?
Got your own why?
Hold Pip, ask anything out loud, and watch the answer come to life.
Ask Pip your own question