Zrkadlá

Zrkadlá are reflective surfaces that are commonly used to view oneself or the surroundings. The most typical zrkadlo is a flat piece of glass with a metallic coating on the back, which reflects light. This metallic coating is often silver or aluminum, applied through processes like vacuum deposition. When light strikes the zrkadlo, it bounces off the metallic surface and returns to the viewer's eyes, creating an image.

The principle behind a zrkadlo's function is the law of reflection, which states that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. This means that the light rays hitting the zrkadlo at a certain angle will bounce off at the same angle. This predictable behavior allows for the formation of a clear, albeit reversed, image.

Beyond their everyday use in homes for personal grooming, zrkadlá have numerous other applications. In science and technology, they are crucial components in telescopes, microscopes, lasers, and optical instruments. They are also used in architecture to create a sense of spaciousness and to enhance natural light. Decorative zrkadlá are employed in interior design to add aesthetic appeal. The properties of zrkadlá can be manipulated to create magnified, reduced, or distorted images, leading to specialized types like convex and concave zrkadlá.