#ExplainThis Why does a shadow, produced by a reflecting light, appear in direct light of that same source of light?

Question

Yeah, I know you've observed this same phenomena and wondered why as well, but I'm not stumping for an entourage of supporting me-too fans, I'm mainly asking for answers to my question. So if you don't mind terribly, please just click on the star to follow my question, then we can all marvel at the awe inspiring knowledge Yahoo Answers generates from an assemblage of the greatest minds the world has ever produced.

ignoramus · Accepted Answer

Well, you could improve on your presentation somewhat, but I think I understand what you are asking.  If you stand in front of a mirror on which a light is shining, then you can see a shadow between you and the light source, in the light which is reflected from the mirror.  Is that it ?

It's not difficult.   When the light is reflected from the mirror, it doubles the illumination on the ground in front of the mirror, compared with the light coming directly from the source.

When you stand in front of the mirror, you cut off the reflected light, so the illumination in front of you is only that coming directly from the source, so the shadow is receiving only half the illumination of the surrounding area.

Marvel away !

#ExplainThis Why does a shadow, produced by a reflecting light, appear in direct light of that same source of light?

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