A question about different lens setups imaging a rotating stick

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the optical effects observed when a rotating stick is placed behind various types of lenses. Participants explore how the stick's rotation may influence its apparent curvature and motion as viewed through different lenses, considering both the geometry of the lens and the optical properties of the material.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the edges of a rotating stick will always appear to move at the same rate as areas closer to the stick's center when viewed through different lenses.
  • There is ambiguity regarding the definition of "rate," with some suggesting it may refer to angular velocity or instantaneous versus average rates over a cycle.
  • One participant recalls that certain lens types may cause the stick to appear as a curved line, even when not rotating, raising questions about the implications of rotation on perceived curvature.
  • Another participant suggests that the rotation could create distortion due to varying light travel times from different parts of the stick, although these effects may be negligible at non-relativistic speeds.
  • Some participants express the need for clearer questions or diagrams to facilitate better understanding and discussion of the optical phenomena involved.
  • There is a proposal to consider the effects of both the density of the lens material and the geometry of the lens separately in relation to the observed phenomena.
  • One participant emphasizes the importance of rotational symmetry in the lens when discussing potential distortions and the visibility of effects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the effects of lens types on the perceived motion and curvature of the stick. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the definitions and implications of the observed phenomena.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion is complicated by the open-ended nature of the questions posed, which may lead to varied interpretations and responses. The potential for tiny, non-noticeable effects due to rotation and light travel time differences is acknowledged, but no definitive conclusions are drawn.

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If i put a rotating stick behind lens of several types, so the stick center is behind the lens center, will the stick edges always appear to move at the same rate as areas closer to the stick center?
 
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roineust said:
If i put a rotating stick behind lens of several types,
Any possible lens?

roineust said:
so the stick center is behind the lens center, will always the stick edges appear to move at the same rate as areas closer to the stick center?
What is "rate"? Angular velocity? Instantaneous or average over a cycle?
 
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A.T. said:
Any possible lens?What is "rate"? Angular velocity? Instantaneous or average over a cycle?

What is the case for all the options that you have mentioned for main common types of lenses?
 
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I think he is trying to get you to make a better question, not volunteering to do it for you.
 
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roineust said:
What is the case for all the options that you have mentioned and for all main different types of lenses?

By rate i mean, if there is always a straight line between the stick edge and the stick center.
 
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roineust said:
What is the case for all the options that you have mentioned and for all main different types of lenses?

I think i recall from visual memory, that for a certain lens type, if you look from the side of the lens at the stick, you will see the stick as a curved line and more curved as the stick gets closer to the lens edge, even if the stick is not rotating, is that correct?
 
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roineust said:
... even if the stick is not rotating...
So what's the point of the rotation?
 
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A.T. said:
So what's the point of the rotation?

Correct, my question is also about the rate: Does there exist a common lens type, in which the stick seems to be curved toward the edges when the stick is not rotating and/or seems to be more/same curved toward the edges as a result of rotation, be it when looking from the side or from the center axis?
 
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roineust said:
Correct, my question is also about the rate: Does there exist a lens type, in which not only the stick does not appear to be straight, but it even seems to be more curved at the edge, as a result of rotation, be it when looking from the side or from the center axis?
Do you mean more curved than when not rotating at the same orientation? Are you asking about signal delay of the light rays due to the optical density of glass?
 
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  • #10
A.T. said:
Do you mean more curved than when not rotating at the same orientation? Are you asking about signal delay of the light rays due to the optical density of glass?

I am asking about such a phenomenon existence twice, once as a result of only the density of glass and again as a result of only the geometry of of the lens.
 
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  • #11
roineust said:
I am asking about such a phenomenon existence twice, once as a result of only the density of glass and again as a result of only the geometry of the glass.
So no rotation then?
 
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  • #12
A.T. said:
So no rotation then?

As a result of rotation and also when there is no rotation.
 
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  • #13
roineust said:
As a result of rotation and also when there is no rotation.
You already know that lenses can distort things. The rotation can create distortion due to different light travel times from different parts of the stick. But these are tiny non-noticeable effects at non-relativistic speeds.
 
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  • #14
roineust said:
If i put a rotating stick behind lens of several types,
Here's another example of a question that's so open that it just can't be answered usefully. We all read it slightly differently and so we can all come up with different answers. Wouldn't a DIAGRAM or even a selection of ("several") diagrams help us all to be talking about the same thing that the OP had in mind?
For a start, what is the axis of rotation of the stick?
 
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  • #15
sophiecentaur said:
Here's another example of a question that's so open that it just can't be answered usefully. We all read it slightly differently and so we can all come up with different answers. Wouldn't a DIAGRAM or even a selection of ("several") diagrams help us all to be talking about the same thing that the OP had in mind?
For a start, what is the axis of rotation of the stick?

Here is a diagram and the question is if such a phenomenon happens in lens, first with no stick rotation and then with stick rotation. The apparent stick (in blue) is curved in one direction, but the question is about such a possible distortion, also in the opposite direction. The question is also about possible rate change, of the apparent stick curvature (a distortion that changes in time).

Rotatong Stick 2.jpg
 
  • #16
roineust said:
if such a phenomenon happens in lens, first with no stick rotation
Is the lens rotationally symmetrical around the view axis?
 
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  • #17
A.T. said:
Is the lens rotationally symmetrical around the view axis?

Yes
 
  • #18
roineust said:
Here is a diagram
Brilliant, thanks. As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". Sorry to be grumpy.
We have to assume total symmetry of any lens.
I'm sure you would not expect any measurable distortion. Even without the lens, the distance to the eye from various parts of the rod will be different and you would actually see the ends of the rod with a longer delay to the middle of the rod (which is nearest). So what you see would be different images, separated by much less than 1ns. What sort of rotation rate would you need in order to get a measurable difference in angle? This is along the same lines as early methods of measuring c with a rotating wheel [Fizeau's method] but he used a path distance of 8km and a toothed wheel, rotating at hundreds of rpm.
Using a lens would make the effect even less because the thickness of the glass is, in fact arranged to make the delay along all paths the same, from object to image (which is why it focuses).
 
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