Chapter 34, Problem 8P

Two flat, rectangular mirrors, both perpendicular to a horizontal sheet of paper, are set edge to edge with their reflecting surfaces perpendicular to each other. (a) A light ray in the plane of the paper strikes one of the mirrors at an arbitrary angle of incidence θ₁. Prove that the final direction of the ray, after reflection from both mirrors, is opposite its initial direction. (b) What If? Now assume the paper is replaced with a third flat mirror, touching edges with the other two and perpendicular to both, creating a comer-cube retroreflector (Fig. 34.8a). A ray of light is incident from any direction within the octant of space bounded by the reflecting surfaces. Argue that the ray will reflect once from each mirror and that its final direction will be opposite its original direction. The Apollo 11 astronauts placed a panel of corner-cube retroreflectors on the Moon. Analysis of timing data taken with it reveals that the radius of the Moon’s orbit is increasing at the rate of 3.8 cm/yr as it loses kinetic energy because of tidal friction.