Does the mirror tell the truth?

“When I look at myself in a mirror at the fitness centre, I seem to look better than in the mirror at home. How can this be? Do they have special mirrors?”

PHYSICS Your reflection is never an exact representation of what you look like. Mirrors are all slightly different, so the image you see is also different. And, of course, you are also seeing a reflected version of the image that others will see when they look at you. Mirrors can also be deliberately constructed to flatter a customer, a technique which is often used in gyms, and in fitting rooms of clothing stores. While body tastes differ, of course, most people prefer a slightly narrower waist and a more emphasised chest than they actually have. A curved mirror that is slightly angled can give this impression, while the use of careful lighting in the room can make a viewer look more muscular and slimmer. If you want to check if a…

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Science Illustrated Australia (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 113

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