6J10.10 - Model of an Eye

Code Number:
6J10.10
Demo Title:
Model of an Eye
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Geometries of the Eye
Area of Study:
Optics
Equipment:
Eye Model.
Procedure:

See also 6J10.10 in Optics.

No preparation except for routine cleaning.

The Eye charts can be used to show normal vs. abnormal eye function.

The Pasco eye model has an adjustable focal length lens that is quite good for simulating near sightedness, normal focusing, and far sightedness. A camera may be placed so that it projects the images from the "retina" viewing screen to the entire class.

The round flask model shows why people who have some eye surgeries in which an air bubble is inserted have trouble seeing when looking down due to a total internal reflection effect.

References:
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  • Giuseppe Colicchia and Hartmut Wiesner, "Looking into the Eye with a Smartphone", TPT, Vol. 53, #2, Feb. 2015, p. 106.
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  • Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "The Demonstration Eye", TPT, Vol. 21, #1, Jan. 1983, p. 39.
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  • Antti Arell and Samuli Kolari, "Experiments on a Model Eye", AJP, Vol. 46, #6, June 1978, p. 613.
  • Theodore J. Wang, "Visual Response of the Human Eye to X Radiation", AJP, Vol. 35, #8, Aug. 1967, p. 779.
  • Charles Day, "A Biologically Inspired Artificial Eye", Physics Today, Vol. 69, #5, May 2016, p. 20.
  • Stephen G. Benka, "Theory Meets Experiment In The Blink Of An Eye", Physics Today, Vol. 65, #7, July 2012, p. 17.
  • Charles Day, "Study Tracks the Changes in a Vision Protein as Fish Evolved", Physics Today, Vol. 61, #10, Oct. 2008, p. 20.
  • Neil Ribe and Friedrich Steinle, "Exploratory Experimentation: Goethe, Land, and Color Theory", Physics Today, Vol. 55, #7, July 2002, p. 43.
  • Gunnar Johansson, "Visual Motion Perception", Scientific American, Vol. 232, #6, June 1975, p. 76.
  • Richard Held, "Eye Movements and Visual Perceptions", Scientific American, May 1974, p. 113.
  • Richard Held, "Form Analysis", Scientific American, May 1974.
  • Richard Held, "The Processes of Vision", Scientific American, May 1974, p. 4.
  • David Noton and Lawrence Stark, "Eye Movements and Visual Perception", Scientific American, Vol. 224, #6, June 1971, p. 34.
  • Adolf Cortel, "Simple Experiments on the Physics of Vision: The Retina", Physics Education, Vol. 40, #4, July 2005, p. 325.
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  • "Nearsighted Hoops", 50 Fun Experiments for the Mad Scientist in You, National Geographic Kids, p. 66.
  • John Henry Pepper, "The Human Eye", Cyclopadic Science Simplified, p. 64.
  • Bill Franklin, "Understanding Color Vision", Teaching about Color & Color Vision, 1996, p. 2A-1.
  • Pat Murphy, Ellen Macaulay, and the staff of the Exploratorium, "Eye Wars", Exploratopia, p. 15.
  • Pat Murphy, Ellen Macaulay, and the staff of the Exploratorium, "Drawing Your Eye", Exploratopia, p. 2.
  • Martin Gardner, "Left- or Right-Eyed?", Science Tricks, p. 73.
  • "The Eyes Have It", Uncle John's Bathroom Reader, p. 255.
  • Paul Doherty and Don Rathjen, "Pupil", The Cheshire Cat, p. 88.
  • Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Missing the Point", Bet You Can't!, p. 103.
  • Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Keeping the Lids On", Bet You Can!, p. 14.
  • "How the Eye Works with Light", The Boy Scientist, p. 181.
  • "How Light Waves Travel", The Boy Scientist, p. 180.
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  • Jearl Walker, "7.43, Depth in Red and Blue Signs", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 321.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.42, Fish Lens", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 320.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.36, A Stargazer's Eye Sweep", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 318.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.34, Finger Colors", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 318.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.26, An Upside-Down World", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 315.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.25, Mach Bands", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 315.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.17, Reflecting Eyes", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 312.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.9, Keeping Your Eye on the Baseball", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 244.
  • Jearl Walker, "7.4, Gray Networks in the Morning, Dashing Specks in the Daylight", The Flying Circus of Physics Ed. 2, p. 306.
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  • Sara Stein, "Visual Purple", The Science Book, p. 199.
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Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.