Demonstrations

Mirrors - Curved Mirrors, Caustics, and Anamorphic Images

Code Number :	6A20.24
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Reflection & Refraction of, Light Waves
Area of Study :	Optics
Equipment :	Semicircular mirror, Mylar mirror, The Magic Mirror Book, and flashlight.
Procedure :	Point the flashlight at the semicircular mirror, from an upward angle of about 45 degrees. The caustic should be very apparent. Turn the magic mirror book to the desired image. Roll the Mylar mirror and place in the designated spot and the anamorphic image should be deciphered to a recognizable picture.

References

Alan J. DeWeerd and S. Eric Hill, "The Dizzying Depths of the Cylindrical Mirror", TPT, Vol. 43, # 2, Feb. 2005, p. 90.

Hugo Graumann and Hans Laue, "Concave Liquid-Mirror Experiments," TPT, Vol. 36, # 1, p. 28 - 31, (Jan. 1998).

Christopher Chiaverina, Cindee Scott, and Patricia Steele, "The Connections Project: Art, Physics, and Mathematics", TPT, Vol. 35, # 5, May 1997, p. 292.

Pietro Ferraro, "What a Caustic!" TPT, Vol. 34, # 9, p. 572-573, (Dec. 1996).

Martin Gardner, "The Unreversed Reflection," TPT, Vol. 34, # 9, p. 563, (December 1996).

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Caustics by Reflection", TPT, Vol. 22, # 5, May 1984, p. 306.

Jearl Walker, "Caustics: Mathematical Curves Generated By Light Shined Through Rippled Plastic," The Amateur Scientist, (September, 1983).

TPT, Vol. 19, # 6, Sept. 1981, p. Front Cover.

Alan J. DeWeerd and S. Eric Hill, "Comment of 'Anamorphic Images', by J. L. Hunt B. G. Nickel, and Christian Gigault [AJP, Vol. 68, # 3, 232-237 March 2000]", AJP, Vol. 74, # 1, Jan. 2006, p. 83.

J. L. Hunt, B. G. Nickel, Christian Gigault, "Anamorphic Images", AJP, Vol. 68, # 3, p. 232, March 2000.

Clifford L. Miles, "Mapping Transform Showing Mirror Equivalence In Concave and Convex Reflectors", AJP, Vol. 42, # 7, July 1974, p. 614.

Cover, Scientific American, Jan. 1975.

Martin Gardner, "Mathematical Games", Scientific American, Jan. 1975, p. 110.

McLoughlin Bros., "The Magic Mirror - An Antique Optical Toy," Dover Publications, Inc., New York.

"Cylindrical Mirror," The Magic Wand & Other Experiments in Light & Color by the Exploratorium, p. 35- 40.

T. D. Rossing, C. J. Chiaverina, "3.4, Anamorphic Art", Light Science, Physics and Visual Arts, p. 60.

"Spherical Mirrors", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1942.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille