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Re: [Phys-l] pinhole camera



We have a room, on the third floor of our building that is "dark" with
all windows covered (black painted plywood over the windows)-- very
dark. It is a room where we can have approximately 20 students.

Anyway, on the window side, we have installed a variable aperture hole,
which makes the entire room a pin-hole camera. On the opposite wall,
one can observe the cars driving by, people walking, buildings, trees,
etc., etc. Of course everything is upside down. As eyes become
accustomed to the darkness, one can observe the increased focusing
effect (depth of field) of decreasing the aperture size, etc. It serves
as a very good introduction to cameras and imaging.

Oren Quist, South Dakota State



-----Original Message-----
From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
[mailto:phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Anthony
Lapinski
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 12:27 PM
To: tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu; tap-l@lists.ncsu.edu;
phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
Subject: [Phys-l] pinhole camera

When I teach optics in my (high school) course, I traditionally discuss
reflection leading into plane and curved mirrors, then refraction
leading
into lenses. Does anyone incorporate pinhole cameras when they teach
this
topic? It has been in the back of my mind for years, but there is
little/no math involved and "higher level" textbooks rarely mention
them.

I am thinking it would be a good way to show students that light travels
in straight lines, and to introduce them to real images (rather than
begin
with virtual images in a plane mirror).

Does anyone have a class activity/demo/lab (or a useful web site) they
could share so I can get some ideas about how to introduce/use this
simple
device (e.g., made with paper towel roll and foil) and have student
begin
to understand how images are formed? A lab activity with questions is
what
I'm looking for. Thanks!

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