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Physics in Everyday Life

Why does a nicely polished
black shoe shine?
First , lets understand the difference between the glossy
polished surface and the dull one. It is a misconception
that the polished surface is smooth and the dull one is
irregular . Both are irregular , as there are no perfectly
smooth surfaces. Examined under a microscope polished
surfaces would be like razor blades. There are
irregularities , depressions and scratches on any surface ,
both dull and polished. What matters is the size of these
irregularities.
If they are smaller than the wavelength of the incident
light , then the rays are reflected correctly , at the angle of
incidence. Such a surface gives mirror reflections , it
shines and we call it polished . If on the other hand , the
irregularities are larger than the wavelength of the incident
light , the surface scatters the ray randomly and does not
follow the reflection law. Such scattered light gives no
mirror reflection and we call it dull . Thus a surface may be
polished for some rays and dull for others .

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Unblackened surface of leather has a highly irregular

microstructure with peaks larger than the mean
wavelength of visible light. By blackening it we smooth out
the surface and lay the hairs that stick out down . Brushing
removes any excess polish at projections and fills the
troughs , reducing the irregularities down to a size which is
comparable with the mean wavelength of visible light , and
the surface becomes glossy .

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