A pinhole camera
I can explain how light passes through a pinhole to produce an image in a pinhole camera.
A pinhole camera
I can explain how light passes through a pinhole to produce an image in a pinhole camera.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A pinhole camera is an empty, closed box with a tiny hole on the front face and a screen on the back face.
- Light moves in straight lines from a light source, through the pinhole, to the screen at the back of a pinhole camera.
- Light from each different point on the object falls on a different single point on the screen, forming the image.
- The image produced by a pinhole camera is dim and inverted. Adding more holes produces multiple images.
- Making the hole larger makes the image brighter but blurred. More light passes through the hole in more directions.
Keywords
Camera - A device that produces an image from light that enters it.
Image - A representation of an object.
Pinhole camera - An empty, closed box with a tiny hole on the front face and a screen on the back face.
Translucent - Describes a material that lets some light through, but through which objects cannot be seen clearly.
Inverted - Describes an image that is upside down.
Common misconception
Light from a lamp moves in parallel rays in a preferred direction towards the observer.
Overtly discuss the direction light rays move from a lamp by considering where light from a lamp can be seen from.
Equipment
Pinhole camera, large pin, carbon filament lamp or similar to provide a bright distinct image.
Content guidance
- Risk assessment required - equipment
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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