Wouldn't mirrors be an example of specular refraction since underneath the glass surface, there's reflective material that allows light to transmit through?
LuxuFate
@rishiarjun Since mirrors in the real world are made by silvering the back of a sheet of glass, wouldn't it be both reflection and refraction?
prannaypradeep999
Yes, I agree that mirrors are an example of specular refraction, as are glasses, lenses, telescopes, etc. I think the most interesting uses of specular refraction are in camera lenses and telescopes, as they rely on specular refraction to magnify and focus light.
sZwX74
While there is definitely a small layer before the lights hits the reflective surface, I think mirrors are a much more prominent example of specular reflection vs specular refraction. I think the example of that pencil disconnecting in water is the typical example shown for specular refraction.
Wouldn't mirrors be an example of specular refraction since underneath the glass surface, there's reflective material that allows light to transmit through?
@rishiarjun Since mirrors in the real world are made by silvering the back of a sheet of glass, wouldn't it be both reflection and refraction?
Yes, I agree that mirrors are an example of specular refraction, as are glasses, lenses, telescopes, etc. I think the most interesting uses of specular refraction are in camera lenses and telescopes, as they rely on specular refraction to magnify and focus light.
While there is definitely a small layer before the lights hits the reflective surface, I think mirrors are a much more prominent example of specular reflection vs specular refraction. I think the example of that pencil disconnecting in water is the typical example shown for specular refraction.