Horizontal inversion is a reversal of an image along its horizontal axis, effectively creating a mirror image across a vertical line.
In simpler terms, imagine holding a picture up to a mirror. The image you see in the mirror is horizontally inverted. The left and right sides of the original image are swapped.
This phenomenon can occur in various situations, such as:
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Mirrors: A standard mirror reverses the image horizontally.
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Curved Surfaces: As indicated in the provided reference, a glass surface curved along the horizontal direction can also cause horizontal inversion.
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Image Processing: In digital image processing, horizontal flipping is a common transformation that results in horizontal inversion.
Why does horizontal inversion happen in mirrors?
Mirrors reflect light. They don't flip the image "left to right" or "top to bottom". Instead, they perform a front-to-back reversal. However, because we typically interpret this front-to-back reversal as a left-to-right change, we perceive it as horizontal inversion. When you raise your right hand, your reflection appears to raise its left hand.
Examples of Horizontal Inversion:
- The reflection of text in a mirror looks reversed.
- A photograph flipped horizontally in an image editor.
- Some optical illusions play on our perception of horizontal inversion.
