For this project, my partner and I constructed a model that functions as glasses that can magnify behind one. When someone puts the glasses on, they will be able to see what is behind them. The device does what it is constructed to do fairly well, as one can clearly see what is behind them, which is what it was supposed to do.
However, there were some problems that were encountered during the construction phase. For example, it was very difficult to find the materials needed to make this. The magnifying mirrors were very difficult to find, as my partner and I could only find compact mirrors at first. Another problem was the model that we are assigned to construct is very fragile – the glasses were not very sturdy, so attaching mirrors to either side was very difficult, so we had to accurately, precisely, and carefully construct the mirrors and popsicle sticks to fit exactly how we wanted it to, which was very difficult. Another difficulty was that at one point, through one of the lenses, we could not get the right angle for the mirror, so the glasses ended up looking very crooked and unbalanced, and it was unable to see behind due to its poor angle. As a result, my partner and I had to reconstruct that part of the glasses.
Nonetheless, we found a way to solve these problems. For example, we ended up using compact mirrors, and melted the mirrors out of their casing using boiling water to solve the problem. Also, because the glasses were very fragile and it was difficult to attach the mirrors, my partner and I used Popsicle sticks at very specific lengths so that it would remain sturdy but not overweight. Popsicle sticks are light, so they do not weigh down the glasses, so they do not add extra weight to the mirror. This helps to support the mirror. Overcoming the last difficulty was very frustrating because my partner and I had finished constructing the model, however, it looked unbalanced because one of the mirrors was poorly angled. However, this was unable to be fixed because the Popsicle sticks were already glued onto the mirror. As a result, my partner and I took apart that side of the model and reconstructed it to make sure it was accurate and of similar angle to the other side, to ensure balance.
Magnification Our device was designed to magnify – therefore we used magnifying mirrors that were designed to be makeup mirrors, because it was very difficult to find magnifying mirrors instead of magnifying lenses. My partner and I got the device (glasses) to magnify behind, so that you can see what is behind you. Although the magnification is not very large, it is still evident that magnification is present because the image portrayed is larger than the object itself.
Quality of Image Our device was designed not only to magnify, but also to keep the quality of the image at highest level. The image is shown at high quality without any blurriness or blind spots. This ensures the highest functioning potential for the device that we created – glasses that can magnify behind you.
Image Characteristics To construct our device, we used a concave mirror to show the image. The image characteristics in comparison to the object is that the image is larger, upright, behind the mirror, and virtual, allowing one to see a larger image that is magnified.
Ophthalmoscope
The ophthalmoscope is an optical device used by most general practitioners today. It is used to inspect the back of the eye, so that the doctor can see the veins, nerves, and retina without surgery. There is a strong light in the device that is directed into the patient’s eye (pupil) by a small two-way mirror (half silvered mirror) (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013). Such a mirror reflects and transmits about 50% of the light (York, 2013). The light is then reflected off of the back of your eye into a small hole in the device (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2013). The light travels through a focusing lens,
