The Disgustoscope

Introduction
Like a microscope or telescope, the optics in a disgustoscope are used to enhance our
vision in some way. Vision depends on light, and optics are used to control light by reflecting or
bending it so that we can see in different ways. Disgustoscope use mirrors to reflect light into
beautiful shapes and patterns. Mirrors reflect multiple images off of one another.
Kaleidoscopes can be much more than the inexpensive children's toys found in variety stores.
At their best they are refined optical instruments costing hundreds of dollars and worth every
cent of the price. Exotic, one of a kind scope with complex three dimensional images can run
into thousands of dollars.

Objectives
Explain and know what principle it operates.
To learn the relationship between the images formed and the length, width and angle
of the mirrors.
Materials/Equipments
Glass mirror
Glasscutter
Emery sandpaper
Glue gun
Glue stick
Procedure
Obtain some mirror material. Glass mirror works best. I used a package of 12" glass mirror tiles
bought from a large hardware store, and cut them with a glasscutter-scribe and a straightedge.
The 1/16 inch mirror works fine, although it is easily broken, therefore young children shouldn't
use a Disgustoscope made from glass.

2.5 in.
3 in.


8.5 in. 5 in.


6 in.

6.5 in.



Make three mirrors in the above shapes. Use duct tape to fasten the shapes together edge to
edge, with the mirror facing inwards. If you use glass, then either use emery sandpaper to grind
down the sharp glass edges, or cover them with more tape.
Note: to make a smaller Disgustoscope, cut your mirrors so they are 8.5 inches long, so the
narrow end is 2.5 inches across, and the wide end is 6.5 inches. To make much smaller, cut
mirrors 5inches long, narrow end is 3 inches across, and wide end is 6 inches.
Question/Answers/Analysis
1. Is disgustoscope different than regular kaleidoscope? why?

This was different than a regular kaleidoscope. A normal kaleidoscope uses
rectangular mirror while this use trapezoidal mirrors. A normal kaleidoscope creates an
infinite plane of polygonal images while this device creates a geodesic dome of images.
In a normal kaleidoscope we look at colorful patterns inside a triangular mirror-tube,
but we use just one eye. If the end of the kaleidoscope tube was enlarged so that both
eyes could look into the end, then the scene would become 3-dimensional.

2. Why did you use glass mirror instead of acrylic mirror?

Although acrylic mirror is very easy to cut with a saw and is much safer for kids,
glass mirror works best. Glass looks better though. The 3D images in the glass mirror are
clearer because it's flat, and the acrylic mirror is always very slightly wavy.

3. How does changing of the ratio of length to width change the image in three mirrors of
disgustoscope?
The longer the mirrors are relative to their widths, the smaller the individual
reflections of the object window will be.
.......... .......... ,,,,,,,,
The ratios of length to width for the photos above, left to right are 12/4, 12/3, 12/2, and 12/1.
There are two causes to the effect. First, as the mirrors get narrower they made the object
window smaller. Second, because the narrower mirrors are now closer together they push the
images closer together.
4. What is the effect of tapering mirrors of disgustoscope?

Tapering causes the flat plain of the straight three mirror scope to curve around itself,
creating a sphere with such a solid sense of three dimensionality that it's hard to
believe. A benefit of the mirror taper is that it opens up the viewer's end of the
kaleidoscope so that the image is very easy to see. (Many untapered scopes have
viewing windows that are so small you have to push your eye right up against them.)
The down side of this is that the wide open end also lets outside light in, which makes
some of the surrounding mirror faceting bright enough to be distracting. One way to
reduce the amount of light flooding in is to cover the viewing window with a cover that's
flat black and has an oblong opening in the center so that the image can be looked at
with both eyes. This cover darkens the background considerably but creates a barrier
between the viewer and the image that some people might not enjoy. All in all I think
the viewing mask helps more than it hurts.
Conclusion
We therefore conclude that multiple reflection is the principle that disgustoscope
operates. A simple arrangement of mirrors produces multiple images of objects giving the
effect that there are more than one object in an area. Reflection is when light bounces off a
surface at the exact angle it enters. We also conclude that the longer the mirrors are relative to
their widths, the smaller the individual reflections of the object window will be.
Significance of the study
This study shows that mirror not only provide information but can also produce beautiful
optical effect that can amazed us and can benefit the people by means of its application.
Application
-images that form can be use by designers and pattern-makers to create rugs, stained glass,
jewelry, architectural patterns, wallpaper, woven tapestries, and ideas for painters

- serve as an optical toy for the children