Photographs can actually capture disturbances in the air! It is called Schlieren photography, and it can be accomplished by using "a small, bright light source, precisely placed lenses, a curved mirror, a razor blade that blocks part of the light beam, and other tools". The main point is that the photo can capture something like a cough because it makes the disturbances in the air visible.
Not only is this really cool, but it can also be used scientifically to determine the air and heat movements of a burning candle, and firing pistol, a blow dryer, an explosion, or a cough. A closer look at a cough has helped scientists see how viruses are spread by coughing.
I know that our photography unit is over, but I just thought it was interesting how photography can contribute to science. I found this article at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/28/science/28cough.html?_r=1&ref=science&oref=slogin
1 comment:
This is actually a really neat idea that I never thought about before. I never considered that a cough or a blow dryer could make any visual images, but they really do cause movement in the air, and that can definitely be put in a picture. It would be really cool if we started using these in one of our science classes; seeing visuals is one of the best ways to learn. This definitely proves that technology has improved dramatically and there is still so much more to learn about science and nature.
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