Physics Question: Are Eyeglasses Mechanical?
- Jeff Stallard
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Physics Question: Are Eyeglasses Mechanical?
The definition of a machine is a device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of tasks. The difference between a tool and a machine is that the machine is fairly independent. A lens takes light input, modifies it, then transmits it into our eyes in such a way that assists the performance of our eyes. Furthermore, they are very nearly independent (youput them on, but that's it).
So what do you say: are glasses a mechanical device? I think so, but a friend doesn't agree. I just want to see what others think.
So what do you say: are glasses a mechanical device? I think so, but a friend doesn't agree. I just want to see what others think.
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So.....
if we are combining machines with our bodies, are we becoming cyborgs????
if we are combining machines with our bodies, are we becoming cyborgs????
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- amar
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tricky question, is a machine then not also something that must have moving parts for it to function? Well, www.webster.com doesn't say so, but still, I can't think of any machine without moving parts.
A lense also does not actively do anything at all, whereas machines, as i understand the meaning of that word, do...hmm..
A lense also does not actively do anything at all, whereas machines, as i understand the meaning of that word, do...hmm..
- I.D.10-t
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Machines belong to classical Neuton physics; light was conceived differently back then and would not have fallen under the same concept of work as movement of things.
Interesting question, I would say no.
But that is speculation, not fact.
PS all you need is you can derive everything else.
Interesting question, I would say no.
But that is speculation, not fact.
PS all you need is you can derive everything else.
Last edited by I.D.10-t on Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:13 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- Jeff Stallard
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A lens DOES do something. It alters the vector of light energy. It doesn't have to have cogs, chains, and bearings to be a machine. Anything that modifies energy to assist in the performance of tasks is a machine.
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- Doug_Tipple
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Are eyeglasses mechanical? Speaking as someone who has spent five years working in an optical lab, my best answer is that it depends on your definition of mechanical. Change your definition slightly and you have a different answer.
Eyeglasses are more than just lenses, they also have mechanical properties such as hinges, springs, etc. Unfortunately, the screws on my glasses keep coming unscrewed and getting lost. Then I have to go around with a paper clip hinge pin until I can get another screw the right size. I finally put a drop of superglue on the screws, and I haven't lost a screw since then.
I would say that anything that you have to work on with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers has mechanical aspects.
Eyeglasses are more than just lenses, they also have mechanical properties such as hinges, springs, etc. Unfortunately, the screws on my glasses keep coming unscrewed and getting lost. Then I have to go around with a paper clip hinge pin until I can get another screw the right size. I finally put a drop of superglue on the screws, and I haven't lost a screw since then.
I would say that anything that you have to work on with a screwdriver and a pair of pliers has mechanical aspects.
- Martin Milner
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How about an electro-plating machine? Unless you count the electrons as moving.amar wrote:tricky question, is a machine then not also something that must have moving parts for it to function? Well, www.webster.com doesn't say so, but still, I can't think of any machine without moving parts.
A lense also does not actively do anything at all, whereas machines, as i understand the meaning of that word, do...hmm..
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- Jeff Stallard
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Classical Neutonian physics deals heavily with vector forces, which is exactly what a lens deals with.I.D.10-t wrote:Machines belong to classical Neuton physics; light was conceived differently back then and would not have fallen under the same concept of work as movement of things.
"Reality is the computer hardware, and religions are the operating systems: abstractions that allow us to interact with, and draw meaning from, a reality that would otherwise be incomprehensible."
- Jeff Stallard
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That's a good point; glasses are more than just the lenses. However, the difference between a machine and a tool is that a machine must operate fairly independently. A hammer modifies energy to assist in the performance of tasks, but because it is not independent, it is not a machine. Are eyeglass frames independent? Hmm...not sure.Doug_Tipple wrote:Eyeglasses are more than just lenses, they also have mechanical properties such as hinges, springs, etc.
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- GaryKelly
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I refer you to my previous answer, and expand upon it by suggestion that a lens doesn't modify energy. Even if the lens were completely lossless, then energy in=energy out, and therefore no modification has occured at all.
Amar, a crowbar has no moving parts, but since it operates on the principle of a lever, it can be classified as a machine (since it performs work).
Amar, a crowbar has no moving parts, but since it operates on the principle of a lever, it can be classified as a machine (since it performs work).
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- GaryKelly
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Oh and I offer this:
http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?t ... achine&ct=
which I submit is a more appropriate definition of 'machine' than the one found on the likes of hyperdictionary.com
http://www.britannica.com/ebc/article?t ... achine&ct=
which I submit is a more appropriate definition of 'machine' than the one found on the likes of hyperdictionary.com
"It might be a bit better to tune to one of my fiddle's open strings, like A, rather than asking me for an F#." - Martin Milner
- Jeff Stallard
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Not quite. The light's vector has been modified. Furthermore, to get nitpicky, the speed of the input light was modified temporarily while it passed through the glass.GaryKelly wrote:I refer you to my previous answer, and expand upon it by suggestion that a lens doesn't modify energy. Even if the lens were completely lossless, then energy in=energy out, and therefore no modification has occured at all.
"Reality is the computer hardware, and religions are the operating systems: abstractions that allow us to interact with, and draw meaning from, a reality that would otherwise be incomprehensible."