Most people are familiar with 3D glasses, but few understand how they work or what they reveal about the world around us. Inexpensive and easily obtainable online from suppliers like American Paper Optics, these glasses are ideal for engaging in science experiments that educate and entertain children. Suppliers offer various 3D products, including the two most common types: glasses with anaglyphic lenses and polarized lenses.
Anaglyphic lenses, featuring their iconic red and blue filters, are the 3D glasses many remember from childhood. They present slightly different images to each eye, which the brain then resolves into a single, three-dimensional perception. Their simplicity makes them suitable for several basic experiments, introducing inquiring minds to color perception and how the brain processes visual information.
1- 3D Drawing
The first experiment involves creating and viewing a 3D drawing. Materials needed include anaglyphic 3D glasses, white paper, and red and blue pens. Draw a simple shape, such as a cube, twice on the paper, slightly offset. Color one drawing red and the other blue. When viewed through the anaglyphic glasses, a 3D effect becomes apparent. Experiment with various shapes and designs to determine which produces the best results.
2- Separate Colors
A second experiment uses anaglyphic glasses to separate colors in images. Collect magazines or other printed materials, then view the images through the glasses to observe how different colors appear when seen through the red lens versus the blue lens. This activity demonstrates how colored lenses create distinct images for each eye, enabling 3D perception.
3- Light Polarization
Once children grasp the concept of anaglyphic glasses, polarized glasses can introduce them to light polarization. These newer 3D glasses use light polarization rather than color to create separate images for each eye. For the following experiments, use linear polarized glasses.
To observe polarized light, view an LCD screen through the glasses, then rotate them 90 degrees. Notice how the screen darkens when the polarization doesn't align with that of the LCD. This principle underlies the functionality of polarized 3D glasses, which highlights a mysterious property that light possesses, and we cannot perceive.
4- Transparent Materials
The final experiment examines stress in transparent materials. Place a clear plastic object, such as a ruler or utensil, between two polarized lenses. This reveals colorful patterns indicating stress within the material – a phenomenon typically invisible to the naked eye. Ask your young scientists if they can figure out some ways that we could use this property practically.
These experiments not only entertain but also teach valuable scientific concepts. Through anaglyphic glasses, children learn about color perception and how the brain processes visual information. Polarized glasses introduce more complex ideas like light polarization and material stress analysis. By engaging in these hands-on activities, children can explore the world around them while having fun. With little more than easily obtainable 3D glasses and household objects, young learners can dive into the exciting realm of scientific inquiry, developing a deeper understanding of visual phenomena and optical principles. These simple yet profound experiments spark curiosity and may inspire future scientists to pursue careers in optics.
