Why Do Square Holes in Bamboo Slats Create Round Light Patterns?

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SUMMARY

The phenomenon of round light patterns emerging from square holes in bamboo slats is explained by the principles of optics, specifically the pinhole camera effect and diffraction. The square holes, measuring a few millimeters on each side, function similarly to a pinhole camera, projecting an image of the sun onto a surface. As the distance between the holes and the imaging surface increases, diffraction becomes a significant factor, leading to the observed round shapes. This behavior is a result of classical wave effects rather than quantum mechanics or chromatic aberration.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic optics principles, including pinhole camera effects
  • Familiarity with diffraction and wave behavior
  • Knowledge of light propagation and imaging techniques
  • Basic geometry related to shapes and distances
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of pinhole cameras and their applications
  • Explore diffraction patterns and their significance in wave physics
  • Investigate the effects of distance on light projection and imaging
  • Study the behavior of light through various shapes and materials
USEFUL FOR

Anyone interested in optics, including physics students, educators, and hobbyists exploring light behavior and imaging techniques.

PatrickPowers
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The house where I live has a wall made of bamboo slats. There are small square holes between the slats, but when light shines through the square holes onto a surface the shape is always round. Why is that?
 
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What size do these holes have?
 
Jano L. said:
What size do these holes have?


Oh, a few millimeters on a side. There's no chromatic aberration.
 
This has nothing to do with quantum effects. Each hole is acting like a pinhole camera, and the "round" patch of light is an image of the sun.
 
It depends how big the holes are and how far away the imaging surface is. It could be a pinhole camera effect or it could be simple diffraction if the distance is far enough, both of which are classical wave effects. For instance, a water wave in the ocean flowing passed a square obstacle will have a square hole in its wavefront at first, but that will quickly disappear.
 

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