The Secret of Virtual Flowers
Question:
Where is the flower?
Instructions:
1. Observe
the flower and try to touch it.
2.
Hold the lid upwards and see where the flower is.
Why?
The vase is actually made of
two parabolic concave mirrors. A parabolic concave mirror
can converge parallel light rays to its focus, and also
collimate light rays that pass through its focus.
The mirrors used in this exhibit are designed in such
a way that the focus of one is right on the surface of
the other. Light rays from the bottom of the vase are
reflected twice and focused on the top of the vase, forming
a vivid yet virtual image.
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