Stroboscopes

Discussion in 'General Science & Technology' started by pluto2, Sep 3, 2008.

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  1. pluto2 Banned Valued Senior Member

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    A stroboscope in its simplest form is a rotating disc with evenly-spaced holes which is placed in the line of sight between the observer and the moving object.

    What i don't understand is how does a rotating disc with evenly-spaced holes create the illusion of reciprocating, oscillating or vibrating objects appear slow-moving, or stationary?
     
    Last edited: Sep 3, 2008
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  3. kevinalm Registered Senior Member

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    A stroboscope is basically a periodic shutter. The eye sees the object only when the shutter is open. So consider a rotating wheel for example. If the shutter rate is equal to the rotation rate (one shutter opening per revolution of the wheel) then the wheel will be in the same position each time the shutter opens, and the wheel will appear to be standing still. If the shutter rate is slightly slower than the rotation rate, the wheel will rotate a little beyond one complete turn and the wheel will appear to rotate slowly in the forward direction. With the shutter rate slightly faster than the wheel rate, the wheel will make a little less than one rotation and the wheel appears to move backwards.
     
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