Chapter 13, Problem 12TE

Peter Hopkinson stands astride a large mirror and boosts class interest with this zany demonstration. How does he accomplish his apparent levitation in midair? (Hint: Consider his left leg.)

Solution

To determine: The explanation of the apparent levitation done by Peter Hopkinson by standingastride a large mirror to boost class interest with this zany demonstration.

Answer:

In this zany demonstration, Peter Hopkinson lifts his right leg while his unseen left leg provides the support behind the mirror.

Explanation:

Peter Hopkinson boosts class interest by performing this zany demonstration. This makes the class understand the concept of reflection and apparent levitation. The apparent levitation done by him in mid-air may surprise many people not aware of the physics behind it.

Peter Hopkinson, in this demonstration, lifts his right leg while with his left leg, he is making support to stand astride behind the mirror to maintain this position. Most of the things that we see around us do not emit their light, but they reflect the light fall on them by other sources of light. They are visible because they re-emit light reaching their surface from a primary source, such as the Sun or a lamp, or a secondary source, such as an illuminated sky.

Peter Hopkinson stands at an angle with standing on the front of the left leg while raising the right leg and make a distance in the alignment of the legs to make the left leg visible to be distant and the supporting portion of the left leg could not visible to others as the reflection by the light is restricted from the hidden portion, but it creates the apparent levitation that makes Peter Hopkisnon looks like floating in mid-air.

Conclusion:

Therefore, in this zany demonstration Peter Hopkinson lifts his right leg while his unseen left leg provides the support behind the mirror.