In this work we present a twofold educational approach to the reflectiveproperties of surfaces, starting from the historical context of Archimedes “burningmirrors”. The properties of the emerging surface known as “caustic” of a givensmoothly shaped mirror are illustrated by an interactive multimedia. An experimentaldevice is also proposed to visualize the geometrical principles underlying the formationof caustics. The proposed didactical trail is intended also to contextualize the figure andwork of Archimedes in a perspective tightly linked to modern technology, so to collectyoung learners’ interest.
Archimedes and Caustics: A twofold multimedia and experimental approach
BONANNO, Assunta Carmela;Sapia P
;Serpe A.
2010-01-01
Abstract
In this work we present a twofold educational approach to the reflectiveproperties of surfaces, starting from the historical context of Archimedes “burningmirrors”. The properties of the emerging surface known as “caustic” of a givensmoothly shaped mirror are illustrated by an interactive multimedia. An experimentaldevice is also proposed to visualize the geometrical principles underlying the formationof caustics. The proposed didactical trail is intended also to contextualize the figure andwork of Archimedes in a perspective tightly linked to modern technology, so to collectyoung learners’ interest.File in questo prodotto:
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