A kaleidoscope is a toy that uses reflected images to produce great patterns. Would you like to see how one works? Just follow these instructions.
Things Required:
Three small plastic mirrors (with frames removed)
Tape
Wax paper
Pair of scissors
Rubber band
Several small and transparent coloured beads
Directions:
Arrange the mirrors to form a triangular viewing tube. The reflecting sides of the mirrors should face inward. Use tape to secure this shape. Cut out a piece of wax paper that is slightly larger than the triangular open end. Cover one end with the wax paper. Pull the paper tight. Use a rubber band to secure the paper to the tube end. Drop several small coloured beads into the tube. If you don’t have beads, small pieces of coloured plastic or tissue paper will also work. Look into the open end of the kaleidoscope. What do you see? How many reflections are there? Shake the tube so that the beads may move to new positions. What do you see now?
This Is What Happens:
The magic of the kaleidoscope arises from its creation of multiple reflections. The angle of the three mirrors, however, limits the number of reflections. Each of the reflections (and the real screen) appears attached to its neighbouring reflections.
