Mirrors are used as reflectors, decorative equipment, brighten space, telescopes, etc. This article deals with the study of the electrical conductivity of mirrors.
The mirror can conduct electricity due to its reflecting property. The light ray is an electromagnetic wave carrying the quanta of charges that cancels the electric field parallel to the mirror upon incident on it. The light is reflected, changing its direction. The electric conductivity is due to the metal.
We shall further discuss the conductivity of mirrors in detail and the facts behind their electric conductivity. We shall also clarify whether good conductors are essential to make good conductive mirrors and illustrate different types of metal-plated mirrors and their electrical conductivity.
What is conductive mirror?
A metal is said to be conductive if it is able to conduct heat or electricity. Let us understand what it means by a conductive mirror.
A conductive mirror is able to conduct the flow of electricity and heat. It allows the flow of electric current due to the incident light photons and the conductive metal plated on its surface. The heat generated due to the energy flow is transmitted throughout the mirror length.
How does mirror conduct electricity?
The matter conducts electricity due to the mobility of ions present in it. Let us illuminate how the mirror conducts electricity.
The mirror conducts electricity due to the mobility of ions. The ions get into motion as the weak bonds break due to the increase in the mirror’s temperature. The rise in temperature is acquired due to continuous exposure to the light carrying the packets of energy that are converted into heat, thus ionizing the particles.
Why good conductors make good mirrors?
The mirrors are mostly plated with a conductive metal. Let us try to understand the reason behind it and how a good conductor makes a good mirror.
A good conductor makes a good mirror because the electric field produced by a good conductor can cancel the electric field immediately of the incident electromagnetic wave and reflect the light. The electrons in the conductor will drift until it cancels the electric field. In good conductors, charge density is high.
Is silver mirror conductive?
Silver mirrors are commonly used, having a tiny layer of silver polished on the non-reflective layer of the mirror. Let us discuss whether a silver mirror is conductive or not.
Silver mirrors are conductive because silver is a good conductor of electricity and heat allows the flow of electric and heat fluxes due to its low resistivity. The silver mirror reflects 95% of light, and the other 5% of light energy is converted into heat energy. Thus, silver mirrors become hot when exposed to light.
Is aluminium mirror conductive?
Aluminium mirrors are coated with an aluminium layer on one side of a mirror, making another side of it reflective. Let us talk about the conductivity of aluminium mirrors.
Aluminium mirror is conductive as the light rays are easily reflected from the aluminium mirror, having a reflectivity of 93%. The remaining is transformed into heat energy increasing the mirror’s temperature of the mirror. Aluminium is a good conductor of heat and electricity, thus making aluminum mirror conductive.
Is mirror a good conductor of heat?
Mirrors are made up of glass coated with some metal on one side. Let us see whether a mirror is a good conductor of heat.
Most mirrors are good conductors of heat because they allow the heat to flow across their surface and interior. The mirrors are coated with a good conductive metal that makes a mirror a good conductor of electricity and heat. Also, the mirror glass is a good conductor of heat due to the presence of ions.
Conclusion
We can conclude with this article that a mirror is a good conductor of electricity due to the coating of a thin layer of a good conductive metal on its surface that makes a mirror reflective. It is also a good conductor of heat as the metal used for coating, and glass is a good conductor of heat.
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Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.
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