OPTIMISTIC OPTICS PHYSICS

DESIGN AND BUILD A KALEIDOSCOPE

Experiment Objective:
Students will design and construct a kaleidoscope. They will
learn the science behind the kaleidoscope and the concepts of
light and reflection. The purpose of this activity is to introduce to
students how light and objects are manipulated inside a tube
through reflection.
Learning Goals:
Students will observe the different and unique patterns that can be produced by a
kaleidoscope. Students will learn how those patterns and images are generated and how
the various materials are used to create them. Students will be able to see and explore the
wonders of the science world.

LESSON IMPLEMENTATION OUTLINE

Introduction:
A kaleidoscope is a tube of mirrors containing
loose colored beads, pebbles or other small
colored objects. The viewer looks in one end
and light enters the other end, reflecting off the
mirrors. Typically there are two rectangular
lengthwise mirrors. Setting of the mirrors at 45
creates eight duplicate images of the objects,
four at 60, and four at 90. As the tube is rotated, the tumbling of the colored objects
presents the viewer with varying colors and patterns. Any arbitrary pattern of objects
shows up as a beautiful symmetric pattern because of the reflections in the mirrors.
Modern kaleidoscopes are made of brass tubes, stained
glass, wood, steel, gourds and most any other material an
artist can sculpt or manipulate. The part of the
kaleidoscope which holds objects to be viewed is called
an object chamber or cell. Object cells may contain
almost any material. Sometimes the object cell is filled
with liquid so the items float and move through the object
cell with slight movement from the person viewing.
Content Background:
Although the ancient Greeks, including the mathematician Ptolemy, had contemplated the
effects of abutting multiple mirrors, the kaleidoscope is the creation of one man. David

Brewster was born in Scotland.. University studies exposed him to the wonders of
science, however, and he abandoned the church in favor of studying the properties of
light. He became an expert in polarization of light (the linear and planar properties of
light), reflection of light using metal, and light absorption. For his scientific discoveries,
Brewster was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1815 and knighted in 1831.
A kaleidoscope is a toy that uses light and mirrors to reflect objects and create patterns.
There are many different types of kaleidoscopes that create different patterns, but all use
the same basic laws of physics, manipulating light and reflection.
The first part that is essential to the kaleidoscope is a reflective
material. Most kaleidoscopes use mirrors. Long, thin mirrors are set
so that they are facing one another. Two to four mirrors can be used,
depending on the end pattern desired. They are usually set in
cardboard, but kaleidoscopes can be made out of any round, hollow
material. Homemade kaleidoscopes can be made using a paper towel
roll with aluminum foil for a reflective surface. Older kaleidoscopes
were crafted with tin. Some versions use three pieces of blown glass
that are set in a triangle.
The body of the kaleidoscope has two main parts, the viewing tube (with an eyepiece at
one end) and the object box or case at the opposite end of the tube. The object box is a
thin, flat box made of two glass disks and a band circling the edges and holding the disks
and the objects enclosed. Those objects are fragments of colored glass, beads, tinsel, or
other reflective materials.
The outer disk of the object box is ground so it diffuses the
incoming light; that is, it acts like a screen. The viewing tube has
a glass eyepiece at one end; it may be ordinary glass or an optical
lense with magnifying properties. Inside the tube, three strips of
mirrors are joined to form a triangle; the angles of the mirrors
also affects the view through the kaleidoscope. Typically, they
are angled at either 45 or 60. When the object box is turned or
tapped, the glass or objects inside move and tumble freely. As
the viewer looks through the eyepiece toward a light source, the mirrors produce
symmetrical order out of the tumbling objects and multiply them six, eight, or more times
depending on the angles of the mirrors.
One end of the kaleidoscope, called the object chamber,
contains the objects to be reflected. A homemade
kaleidoscope can be made using beads, string and paper
clips. The standard kaleidoscope is made with bits of
colored plastic or glass. The end of the kaleidoscope is
closed off with glass or plastic. This not only keeps the
objects contained, but filters light through to reflect the
images.

Some other versions, the end of the kaleidoscope rotates so that different patterns can be
easily created. Homemade versions can be rotated by hand for the same effect. There are
also types that hold glass marbles for the objects; marbles can be interchanged for
different patterns.

When looking through the hole, light filters through the plastic or glass on the end of the
object chamber and illuminates the objects, which then reflect off of all of the mirrors.
The reflections bounce off of one another as the light passes through the tube. The eye
sees these bouncing reflections, creating the patters. As the kaleidoscope rotates, the
objects shift in the chamber, and the reflection changes, creating new patterns. The
concept is simple, but creates a wonderful end result that delights and entertains.
A variation of the kaleidoscopethe teleidoscopereplaces the object box with another
lens that allows the viewer to look at a distant object and view it in multiples. Still other
variations use more mirrors. Two mirrors have the advantage of producing a centered
pattern; multiple mirrors split and duplicate the image many times over. The
kaleidoscope is infinitely entertaining because the patterns and combinations are endless
and are not permanent unless photographed.
Lab Activity Instructions:
Students will perform the kaleidoscope experiment individually or in pairs and can share
ideas among each other. Instructors will explain with the materials for the experiment and
have a demo for explanation. Students are given the opportunity to explore and be
creative. Allow one instructor for demonstration and other instructors as assistants around
the classroom.
Materials: Paper towel tube cut eight inches (20
centimeters) long, clear plastic report cover, ruler, pen
or marker, black construction paper, plastic wrap,
waxed paper (one of each and cut into 10cm squares),
scissors, rubber band, clear tape, coloured transparent
beads, small sequins, shiny confetti, strings, glitter,
stickers and wrapping papers.

Procedure:
1. Draw an 8-by-4-inch (20-by-10-centimeter) rectangle on
the report cover. Cut it out. Draw three lines across the
rectangle as shown.
2. Fold the plastic along the lines to form a triangular
shape. The quarter-inch (.6-centimeter) strip goes on the
outside. Tape the strip along the edge so it stays closed.

Step 1

Step 2

3. Slide the plastic triangle into the paper towel roll.

4. Turn the paper towel tube on one end. Trace a circle
around it on the construction paper. Poke a hole through
the center of the circle and tape it over one end of tube.
5. Place a square of plastic wrap on the other end of the
tube. Press down to create a pouch in the end of the
plastic triangle. Put some beads, sequins, and confetti in
the pouch.
6. Place a square of waxed paper over the pouch. Stretch
the rubber band over both the waxed paper and the
plastic wrap. Be sure its on tight so nothing spills out!
Trim the corners of the squares. Decorate the outside of
the paper towel roll with stickers or wrapping paper.

Step 3

Step 4

7. Hold the tube up to one eye and look through it. Turn it
and watch your own light show!
Checking for student understanding:
Ask students to try the experiment on their own. Encourage them to be creative and
explore different materials. Ask them to observe the unique patterns created by the
kaleidoscope and ask them questions of how those are formed.
Extensions and connections:
Students will be encouraged to think about applications of kaleidoscope and other similar
objects. Ask them to relate to objects around the classroom, at home or in shops. How are
these different and similar?

CURRICULUM CONCEPTS
Physics-Optics and Lenses
References:
http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4564059_a-kaleidoscope-work.html

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Activities/FunScience/Be-dazzled