A mirror image, contrary to common belief, isn't fundamentally flipped left and right by the mirror itself. Based on the provided reference from a YouTube video titled "Why Do Mirrors Flip Left & Right (but not up & down)?", the mirror is not the primary cause of the perceived left-right reversal.
The Mirror's Role
The reference explicitly states, "Not left right. Again not the mirror's. Doing here's the deal if a word is flipped in a mirror. It's probably flipped outside the mirror. Too we just don't normally notice that the word got flipped."
This suggests that the mirror isn't performing a left-right inversion. The apparent flip is likely due to:
- Something happening to the object or image before it is reflected.
- Our own perception or how we interact with the reflection.
For instance, when you look at a word in a mirror, it appears reversed. The reference implies this reversal might stem from the way the word is presented or perceived rather than a property of the mirror's reflection process concerning the left-right axis.
Understanding the Apparent Reversal
The video excerpt challenges the typical explanation that mirrors flip things horizontally. While the full video likely delves into the physics, the provided snippet focuses on debunking the idea that the mirror itself is the culprit for left-right flipping.
Consider these points based on the reference's perspective:
- Focus on Input: The perceived flip might originate from the input source itself, not the reflection process.
- Perception: Our interaction with the reflection, perhaps imagining rotating the image, leads to the impression of a left-right flip.
- Not a Horizontal Action: The mirror's action isn't primarily about swapping left and right sides.
Therefore, according to this perspective, the mirror image is not "flipped" left-right by the mirror. The perceived reversal is attributed to factors external to the mirror's reflective surface.
