The Reflection Puzzle


Suppose we have a hinged pair of mirrors, with one mirror lying flat, and the second mirror forming an angle of 1 degree. Suppose a photon, initially travelling parallel to the ground, strikes the upper mirror 2,617 meters above the ground. (OK, these are BIG mirrors.) Assuming that the photon behaves in the normal way, being reflected so that the angles of incidence and reflection are equal, can you state:

I give up, show me the solution.


Last revised on 15 November 2006.