THE MAGIC OF A MIRROR: HOW IS IT ABLE TO SHOW YOUR REFLECTION?

Materials that behave differently on the surface and inside, such as a metal outside and an insulator inside, are called topological materials. Such materials were discovered in the second half of the 20th century and some of its discoverers won the Nobel Prize for physics in 2016

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Dressing up is probably one of the most annoying things. You stand in front of a mirror and try to find the right combination of clothes of various colours hoping you look more tolerable to people. This is probably one trait that distinguishes us from other animals: we spend a few good minutes every morning staring at a mirror.

Have you ever wondered, though, when we stare at a mirror, what we’re really staring at?

What is a mirror?

Most mirrors feel like glass. They are heavy and break easily. But then if you stare at a glass, say your window, and you stare at a mirror, what you see are very different things.

On a bright day, glasses are transparent, and you can see the outside world through a glass window. At night, if you look at your window and if you are in a well-lit room, you will now see yourself. In a mirror, on the other hand, you always see yourself irrespective of whether it is day or night (and as long as it is not dark).

To understand the difference between a mirror and window glass, we need to learn about metals and insulators.

What are metals and insulators?

Metals are shiny things, like your steel cups and plates, the aluminium pressure cooker, and coins in your purse. Metallic objects are usually hard, not easy to break, and have a silvery shine. They also get hot and cold quite easily and can conduct current. It’s one reason why we never touch a live socket using a spoon. Insulator objects on the other hand are made of glass, wood, and plastics. The things that usually don’t conduct current also often don’t look silvery.