Source: Extra Practice
When you stand in front of a plane mirror and raise your left hand, which hand does your image in the mirror appear to raise? Explain the scientific phenomenon behind this observation.
Model Answer
When you raise your left hand in front of a plane mirror, your image in the mirror appears to raise its right hand. This phenomenon is known as lateral inversion. Lateral inversion is a characteristic of images formed by plane mirrors where the left and right sides of the object are interchanged in the image, while the top and bottom remain unchanged, creating a mirror-image effect.
Explanation
Key points for grading: Correct identification of the hand (right hand) and accurate explanation of lateral inversion as the scientific phenomenon responsible.