Imagery
When ones eyes look directly down the middle of the two piers they give the illusion of getting closer and
closer together, however they are the same distance apart. This is because of Image formation in a convex
lens:
Image
Perceived
d
i
s
t
a
n
c
e
Light
Rays
Focal
Point
Light Rays
Piers
Convex
Lens
Light rays
bend as they
go through the
convex lens.
These diagrams demonstrate why we see the piers coming closer together. The light rays refract as they go
through the lens, this results in the light rays that are closer to refract at a larger angle to the rays that further
away. This is due to the light rays not being parallel causing different angles of refraction, making the
images appear closer than they are (as demonstrated in the images above). The viewer is also trying to
perceive through the convex lens something that is 3 Dimensional in to 2 Dimensional form. Therefore the
image is perceived differently, in this case the piers coming closer together.
This picture was taken at the Flinders pier, where my grandparents live. It is one of my favourite spots to sit,
looking out to sea.
1. Entrant: Elena Marie Vella
2. Melbourne Girls’ College, Yarra Boulevard Richmond 3121,
3. Phone: 9428 8955 Fax: 9428 2737
4. Year 10 student, Teacher: Chris Jurgens