3. Day–night rearview mirrors are common in cars. At night, when you tilt the mirror backward, the intensity and glare of headlights behind you are reduced

(▶ Figure 23.25). The mirror is wedge-shaped and is silvered on the back. The unsilvered front surface reflects about 5% of incident light; the silvered back surface reflects about 90% of the incident light. Explain how the day–night mirror works.

Transcribed Image Text:

Incident light Headlight Dim (a) Day Dim (b) Night Tilted Silvered side