Teaching Physics with the Physics Suite

Edward F. Redish

Home | Action Research Kit| Sample Problems | Resources | Product Information

Problems Sorted by Type | Problems Sorted by Subject | Problems Sorted by Chapter in UP

Bizarre behavior with light

I have observed people with cameras undergoing some strange behavior.

  1. When I was at a conference in North Carolina, one of the physics graduate students (who should have known better!) was trying to take a picture of the overheads projected on a white screen. Since the room was darkened, he used a flash. Explain why this is a bad idea and what his pictures are likely to show.

  2. I mentioned to him that he probably should not be using his flash so he turned it off. He then proceeded to try and take pictures of the participants in the darkened room! Explain why this is a bad idea and what his pictures are likely to show.

  3. I once observed a woman on an airplane at night with a camera. As we flew low over Washington DC she was impressed with the view of the city lights in the dark. She stood back in the aisle and tried to take a picture through the window using her flash. Explain why this is a bad idea and what her pictures are likely to show.


Not finding what you wanted? Check the Site Map for more information.

Page last modified October 23, 2002: OP03