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X and Y profile of a round object using a 45degree mirror (why is the Y profile smaller)

Physics Asked by bluscape on December 27, 2020

I’m trying to measure the X and Y profiles of a round object using a single camera. The camera has a direct view of the object in the X profile but sees the Y profile of the object as a reflection on a mirror mounted at 45 degrees. The problem is that the Y profile seen by the camera is smaller than the X profile of the object. Although the object is round. See the attached diagram, photo of the setup and a photo from the camera.

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I would think that the reflection of the Y profile will be the same distance from the camera as the X profile and therefore have the same size. But it does not.

Why is the Y profile smaller than the X profile?
Or why is the Y profile (reflection) further away from the camera?

I did get the mirror from my wife’s makeup so it could be that the reflective coating is at a radius. But the glass itself seems flat.

One Answer

The way you have drawn your diagram suggests the mirror reflecting the y-profile is at the same distance from the camera as the object is. But the 'effective' distance to the y-profile image also needs to include the distance from the object to the mirror. See my adaption of your original sketch,

enter image description here

Correct answer by Penguino on December 27, 2020

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