Why does a text become blurred, looking at it through a polyethylene film?

  • Thread starter Thread starter timxtreme
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Film Text
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the optical phenomenon observed when viewing printed text through a polyethylene film. As the film is lifted, the text becomes increasingly blurred due to the film's surface structure acting as a lens with varying focal lengths. The refraction of light through the film causes this blurring effect, which is more pronounced at greater distances. This phenomenon illustrates the principles of light refraction and lens behavior in simple terms.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of light refraction principles
  • Basic knowledge of lens behavior
  • Familiarity with optical properties of materials
  • Concept of focal length in optics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the physics of light refraction and its applications
  • Explore the properties of different lens materials
  • Learn about the effects of varying focal lengths on image clarity
  • Investigate practical applications of polyethylene in optical devices
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, optical engineers, and anyone interested in the behavior of light and lenses in practical scenarios.

timxtreme
If you cover printed text with a piece of transparent polyethylene film you can still easily read it. As you gradually lift up the film, the text becomes increasingly blurred and may even disappear. Why that?
I guess it has something to do with the structure of the film's surface, but I'm not sure. What do you think? You have any suggestions on how to solve this problem?

I'm glad about every help!
tim




PS: I'm sorry about my bad english...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It has to do with the fact that the film bend as you pick it up so that it becomes like a lens with varying focal lengths over its surface. You can imagine how confusing the image would become.

By the way, your English is excellent. I have no idea what your native language is, but if I wrote in it you wouldn't understand anything!
 
The film acts as a lens in that it refracts light. When the film is close, the amount of refraction is small because it has had little time to "spread out" the light waves. When it is farther away, it has had more distance to refract upon. You can see common examples of this by turning on a flashlight. The beams start out concentrated, and eventually spread out.

That is all in very simple terms.
 

Similar threads

Film Advance system research for DIY Camera
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
Graduate PDLC film or glass for optical shutters or shutter glasses
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
6K
The Scientist as Hero - or not
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Courses Is Constant Leap-Frogging Through a Text Normal?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
Graduate Homemade Quantum Eraser Experiment revisited with photos and full text
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
8K
Graduate Torsion Field Question from a total newbie
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
14K
High School How is surface charge accumulated?
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
6K
What are your thoughts on 'Ad Astra' and Will Smith's upcoming Gemini Man?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Other Leveraging engineering B.E. after pivoting to Physics - impossible?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Current and Future AI Threats to Humanity and the Human Response
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K