In a pinhole camera, how does the image appear?a)Upright and magnified...
The pinhole camera forms an inverted and smaller image due to the straight-line propagation of light through the small hole.
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In a pinhole camera, how does the image appear?a)Upright and magnified...
Understanding the Pinhole Camera
A pinhole camera is a simple optical device that consists of a light-tight box or container with a small hole (the pinhole) on one side. It projects an image of the outside scene onto the opposite side of the box, where a photosensitive surface or screen captures the image.
How the Image is Formed
- The pinhole allows light rays from an object to enter the camera.
- These light rays travel in straight lines and converge on the opposite side.
- Due to the geometry of this system, the image formed is a result of this convergence.
Characteristics of the Image
1. Inverted:
- The light rays from the top of the object hit the bottom of the opposite surface, and those from the bottom hit the top.
- This results in an inverted image where the top of the object appears at the bottom of the image.
2. Smaller:
- The size of the image is smaller than the actual object because the pinhole is limited in size.
- As the distance between the object and the pinhole increases, the image size decreases further, making it appear smaller.
3. Same Size:
- The image does not maintain the same size as the object; it is scaled down due to the geometry of light paths.
Conclusion
Thus, in a pinhole camera, the image appears inverted and smaller (option B). This unique characteristic is what makes the pinhole camera an interesting subject in optics, illustrating fundamental principles of light and image formation.