Can we see a point with only one ray or do we need two rays?
$begingroup$
I am just a high school student trying to self study, so please excuse me if you find the question silly.
My teacher says that we can see a point when a ray of light from the point is reflected into our eye.
But almost everyone on the internet say that when two diverging rays from a point enter our eye we can see the point.
Which one is correct A or B.
(Don't laugh I only had paint)
optics visible-light lenses vision
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am just a high school student trying to self study, so please excuse me if you find the question silly.
My teacher says that we can see a point when a ray of light from the point is reflected into our eye.
But almost everyone on the internet say that when two diverging rays from a point enter our eye we can see the point.
Which one is correct A or B.
(Don't laugh I only had paint)
optics visible-light lenses vision
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
$endgroup$
3
$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32
add a comment |
$begingroup$
I am just a high school student trying to self study, so please excuse me if you find the question silly.
My teacher says that we can see a point when a ray of light from the point is reflected into our eye.
But almost everyone on the internet say that when two diverging rays from a point enter our eye we can see the point.
Which one is correct A or B.
(Don't laugh I only had paint)
optics visible-light lenses vision
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
$endgroup$
I am just a high school student trying to self study, so please excuse me if you find the question silly.
My teacher says that we can see a point when a ray of light from the point is reflected into our eye.
But almost everyone on the internet say that when two diverging rays from a point enter our eye we can see the point.
Which one is correct A or B.
(Don't laugh I only had paint)
optics visible-light lenses vision
optics visible-light lenses vision
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
edited Mar 10 at 8:18
IamAStudent
1,090216
1,090216
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
asked Mar 10 at 6:33
Aditya BharadwajAditya Bharadwaj
3471112
3471112
3
$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32
add a comment |
3
$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32
3
3
$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Both are correct in ways.
The eye changes its shape so that when you focus on a point, all the diverging light from that point is collected and redirected onto (roughly) the same detector on the back of your eye. (as in image B) However, in theory, you only need to collect a single photon to "see" a point (this corresponds more closely to A). Very sensitive light detectors can see a single particle of light, and IIRC, so can the eye if it is very dark.
In reality however, most objects emit light in all directions, so in realistic situations, B is the better picture. It's important to note that there are "an infinity" (in reality a large but finite number) of rays emitted in a cone from every point. There is nothing special about the ray distinguished in A. If you blocked the top ray in B, you'd still see the point, it would be the same situation as A, but the light would just be bent by the eye. Each additional ray simply adds to the amount of light collected by the eye, making the image more clear.
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both your teacher and strangers on the Internet are correct because you can see diverging rays of light coming from an object when you're focused on that object.
Let's take a look inside your eye. Light interacts with three parts of your eye: the cornea, the lens and the retina. The cornea and the lens work together to focus light onto the retina.
When you look an an object your unconscious brain will tell your eye to focus on the object. "Focusing" on an object means stretching out your lens to just the right focal length. "Just the right focal length" means that rays of light originating from the thing you're looking at converge at the same point on the retina.
You can see a point from one (or more) diverging rays of light because they all hit the same point on the retina. More is better because more light is easier to see.
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
Both are correct in ways.
The eye changes its shape so that when you focus on a point, all the diverging light from that point is collected and redirected onto (roughly) the same detector on the back of your eye. (as in image B) However, in theory, you only need to collect a single photon to "see" a point (this corresponds more closely to A). Very sensitive light detectors can see a single particle of light, and IIRC, so can the eye if it is very dark.
In reality however, most objects emit light in all directions, so in realistic situations, B is the better picture. It's important to note that there are "an infinity" (in reality a large but finite number) of rays emitted in a cone from every point. There is nothing special about the ray distinguished in A. If you blocked the top ray in B, you'd still see the point, it would be the same situation as A, but the light would just be bent by the eye. Each additional ray simply adds to the amount of light collected by the eye, making the image more clear.
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both are correct in ways.
The eye changes its shape so that when you focus on a point, all the diverging light from that point is collected and redirected onto (roughly) the same detector on the back of your eye. (as in image B) However, in theory, you only need to collect a single photon to "see" a point (this corresponds more closely to A). Very sensitive light detectors can see a single particle of light, and IIRC, so can the eye if it is very dark.
In reality however, most objects emit light in all directions, so in realistic situations, B is the better picture. It's important to note that there are "an infinity" (in reality a large but finite number) of rays emitted in a cone from every point. There is nothing special about the ray distinguished in A. If you blocked the top ray in B, you'd still see the point, it would be the same situation as A, but the light would just be bent by the eye. Each additional ray simply adds to the amount of light collected by the eye, making the image more clear.
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both are correct in ways.
The eye changes its shape so that when you focus on a point, all the diverging light from that point is collected and redirected onto (roughly) the same detector on the back of your eye. (as in image B) However, in theory, you only need to collect a single photon to "see" a point (this corresponds more closely to A). Very sensitive light detectors can see a single particle of light, and IIRC, so can the eye if it is very dark.
In reality however, most objects emit light in all directions, so in realistic situations, B is the better picture. It's important to note that there are "an infinity" (in reality a large but finite number) of rays emitted in a cone from every point. There is nothing special about the ray distinguished in A. If you blocked the top ray in B, you'd still see the point, it would be the same situation as A, but the light would just be bent by the eye. Each additional ray simply adds to the amount of light collected by the eye, making the image more clear.
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
$endgroup$
Both are correct in ways.
The eye changes its shape so that when you focus on a point, all the diverging light from that point is collected and redirected onto (roughly) the same detector on the back of your eye. (as in image B) However, in theory, you only need to collect a single photon to "see" a point (this corresponds more closely to A). Very sensitive light detectors can see a single particle of light, and IIRC, so can the eye if it is very dark.
In reality however, most objects emit light in all directions, so in realistic situations, B is the better picture. It's important to note that there are "an infinity" (in reality a large but finite number) of rays emitted in a cone from every point. There is nothing special about the ray distinguished in A. If you blocked the top ray in B, you'd still see the point, it would be the same situation as A, but the light would just be bent by the eye. Each additional ray simply adds to the amount of light collected by the eye, making the image more clear.
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
answered Mar 10 at 8:43
Bobak HashemiBobak Hashemi
1,5321818
1,5321818
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
Just to make sure I understood it correctly. You are saying that one ray of light would not give our brain sufficient information to form a clear image, but a ray of light is the minimum amount of light needed to sense something although not very clearly. If two or more rays enter our eyes then we can recover more information about the object and we will be able to see a clearer image.Right?
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:44
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
$begingroup$
What do you mean by "can see a single particle of light" and "but the light would just be bent by the eye"
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:48
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both your teacher and strangers on the Internet are correct because you can see diverging rays of light coming from an object when you're focused on that object.
Let's take a look inside your eye. Light interacts with three parts of your eye: the cornea, the lens and the retina. The cornea and the lens work together to focus light onto the retina.
When you look an an object your unconscious brain will tell your eye to focus on the object. "Focusing" on an object means stretching out your lens to just the right focal length. "Just the right focal length" means that rays of light originating from the thing you're looking at converge at the same point on the retina.
You can see a point from one (or more) diverging rays of light because they all hit the same point on the retina. More is better because more light is easier to see.
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both your teacher and strangers on the Internet are correct because you can see diverging rays of light coming from an object when you're focused on that object.
Let's take a look inside your eye. Light interacts with three parts of your eye: the cornea, the lens and the retina. The cornea and the lens work together to focus light onto the retina.
When you look an an object your unconscious brain will tell your eye to focus on the object. "Focusing" on an object means stretching out your lens to just the right focal length. "Just the right focal length" means that rays of light originating from the thing you're looking at converge at the same point on the retina.
You can see a point from one (or more) diverging rays of light because they all hit the same point on the retina. More is better because more light is easier to see.
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Both your teacher and strangers on the Internet are correct because you can see diverging rays of light coming from an object when you're focused on that object.
Let's take a look inside your eye. Light interacts with three parts of your eye: the cornea, the lens and the retina. The cornea and the lens work together to focus light onto the retina.
When you look an an object your unconscious brain will tell your eye to focus on the object. "Focusing" on an object means stretching out your lens to just the right focal length. "Just the right focal length" means that rays of light originating from the thing you're looking at converge at the same point on the retina.
You can see a point from one (or more) diverging rays of light because they all hit the same point on the retina. More is better because more light is easier to see.
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
$endgroup$
Both your teacher and strangers on the Internet are correct because you can see diverging rays of light coming from an object when you're focused on that object.
Let's take a look inside your eye. Light interacts with three parts of your eye: the cornea, the lens and the retina. The cornea and the lens work together to focus light onto the retina.
When you look an an object your unconscious brain will tell your eye to focus on the object. "Focusing" on an object means stretching out your lens to just the right focal length. "Just the right focal length" means that rays of light originating from the thing you're looking at converge at the same point on the retina.
You can see a point from one (or more) diverging rays of light because they all hit the same point on the retina. More is better because more light is easier to see.
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
edited Mar 10 at 9:02
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
answered Mar 10 at 8:57
lsusrlsusr
42436
42436
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
Can you tell me why it is that more light rays from a single point means a much clearer picture.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 10:21
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
$begingroup$
I think this question deserves to be asked on the top level.
$endgroup$
– lsusr
Mar 10 at 10:31
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
Related Is it possible to make a source of light such that it only emits one ray of light?
$endgroup$
– Farcher
Mar 10 at 8:43
$begingroup$
@Farcher That is also my question.
$endgroup$
– Aditya Bharadwaj
Mar 10 at 9:32