Why do things look smaller when they are further away?

[Duke]

This has been bugging me for a while now, but does anyone know why things look smaller when they are further away? I asked this about a year ago but I wasn't satisfied with the answers I was getting.

 

Someone told me it has something to do with lenses. but I dont know whether thats true or not.

 

Does anyone have a decent scientific reason as to why this occurs?

[JaKiri]

I shall answer in the medium of MSPaint.

 

http://www.angelfire.com/space/mrl/furtheraway.JPG

 

(The scales are slightly different on the pictures, obviously. The objects are the 'same' size)

[Cap'n Refsmmat]

That was what I would say. Brilliant, yet my art teacher doesn't know.

[Atlantic]

Thats due to rectilinear propagation of light.

Basically, the light spreads from an object in all diretions (grade 2) When you are close, your eyes capture more light, and therefore view more surface area of the object. When further away, your eyes capture less light rays from that object, and therefore the visual surface area is reduced.

[Sayonara]

That's no the best explanation, because it could just as easily produce the effect of perceiving a brighter or darker image.

[YT2095]

probably not, but I understood it, and as for lighter / darker, you ARE joking right!?!?

 

you`ll basicly see less reflected photons of that specific object as they scatter over distance and their angle of incidence will be less making the object apear smaller is all it is. nothing fancy

[Sayonara]

YT2095 said in post # :

probably not, but I understood it, and as for lighter / darker, you ARE joking right!?!?

No, I'm not joking.

 

ONE QUARTER RULE. VERY BASIC PHYSICS.

 

you`ll basicly see less reflected photons of that specific object as they scatter over distance and their angle of incidence will be less making the object apear smaller is all it is. nothing fancy

MrL already gave that answer in the first reply. Only with diagrams and flashing lights.

[YT2095]

tell me what`s wrong with Atlantics post in the way that it will make things "darker" then?

 

he even kicked of his sentnces with "Thats due to rectilinear propagation of light.

Basically, the light spreads from an object in all diretions "

 

and he`s bang on the nail

[Sayonara]

There's nothing wrong with the physics in the post. Can you not read?

 

I said it was not good as an explanation, because it produces 2 different observable phenomena instead of just the one that he was trying to explain.

[YT2095]

Sayonara³ said in post # :

There's nothing wrong with the physics in the post. Can you not read?

 

and you say I make thiny veiled insults!!! you utter pr!(|< !!!!

[JaKiri]

YT2095 said in post # :

 

and you say I make thiny veiled insults!!! you utter pr!(|< !!!!

 

I have a deep love of irony in all it's forms.

 

Can I have your autograph, sir?

[JaKiri]

YT2095 said in post # :

probably not, but I understood it, and as for lighter / darker, you ARE joking right!?!?

 

Intensity decreases as the area over which things are spread increases, duder.

[Sayonara]

YT2095 said in post # :

and you say I make thiny veiled insults!!! you utter pr!(|< !!!!

Seeing as all the information required to understand my post was in my post, I'd put it more in the "actual questions" category.

 

I don't think responding to what you perceive as a "thinly veiled insult" with an actual insult is the way to go really.

[Duke]

That picture makes sense, i never really looked at it like that. Nicely explianed duderino. It beats the old "because it's further away" theory.

[Atlantic]

Originally posted by YT2095

tell me what`s wrong with Atlantics post in the way that it will make things "darker" then?

 

he even kicked of his sentnces with "Thats due to rectilinear propagation of light.

Basically, the light spreads from an object in all diretions "

 

and he`s bang on the nail

 

LOL thanks YT