This is a fun observation that plays on the way mirrors reflect images. When you hold your hands up to a mirror, it appears that your fingers don't touch because the mirror is reversing the image.
Here's a breakdown of why this happens:
- Mirror Image Reversal: Mirrors reflect light, creating a reversed image of what's in front of them. This means your left hand appears as your right hand in the reflection, and vice versa.
- Perspective: The way your hands are positioned in relation to the mirror also contributes to the perceived separation. If your hands are close to the mirror, the illusion of separation is more pronounced.
In essence, your fingers do touch in the real world, but the mirror creates an optical illusion that makes it seem like they don't.
