In: Physics
OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS:
a) Explain the meaning, in terms of physics, of the phrase etched on the right side mirror of most cars: “Objects in mirror are closer than they appear."
b) What is the difference between a real image and a virtual image?
c) The image focused on your retina is actually inverted (sketch a simple ray diagram showing this observation). What does this fact say about our definitions of “right side up” and “upside down”?
d) Experimental subjects who wear inverting lenses (glasses that invert all images) for several days adapt to their new perception of the world so well that they can even ride a bicycle. Several days after the glasses are removed, their perceptions return to normal. Discuss this phenomenon and comment.