Perception of distance.

Grandiagod · 10-7-2006, 12:39 AM

I've been thinking about it for a while, and for the life of me I can't understand the physical reason why objects appear smaller at greater distances. I first thought that maybe the farther away you get the less photons get reflected back but that didn't make too much sense. Then I thought that it might just be a purely mental phenomenon, but once again, that didn't satisfy me.

Helps.

T0rajir0u · 10-7-2006, 12:49 AM

Your eye is a sphere. Objects farther away subtend a smaller angle on your eye.

Grandiagod · 10-7-2006, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T0rajir0u

Your eye is a sphere. Objects farther away subtend a smaller angle on your eye.

Oh hell that was simple.

But if the eye was a flat plane objects would appear at the same size?

Chrissi · 10-7-2006, 12:52 AM

Imagine if they WEREN'T smaller at greater distances. The world would look pretty ****ed up. I think that's a good enough reason.

T0rajir0u · 10-7-2006, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandiagod

Oh hell that was simple.

But if the eye was a flat plane objects would appear at the same size?

Well, everything still has to project onto your eye, so no, it would be about the same. Only all weird and distorted.

Grandiagod · 10-7-2006, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T0rajir0u

Well, everything still has to project onto your eye, so no, it would be about the same. Only all weird and distorted.

Thanks Tora. Guess I just need to brush up on this stuff.

UberMario · 10-7-2006, 01:17 AM

Makes me wonder how birds' eyes are shaped. They have everything in focus at all times.

T0rajir0u · 10-7-2006, 01:51 AM

edit: what i meant to say is that it's impossible for anything with two eyes to have everything in focus at the same time do you even know what 'in focus' means

edit: oh well according to the first result on google apparently birds only use one eye at a time to look closely at things which might explain it

**Cavernio** · 10-7-2006, 09:47 AM

Have you done lenses and mirrors in physics? That'd explain it more in depth.

If the eye were flat, there'd be no focus, right?

Prince_Kheldar · 10-7-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cavernio

Have you done lenses and mirrors in physics? That'd explain it more in depth.

If the eye were flat, there'd be no focus, right?

exactly, because the angle of reflection at which light would be coming back, would be everywhere, and it wouldn't "focus" it'd be like 1 big blur....

Laharl · 10-9-2006, 01:50 AM

I am confused as to why this wouldn't be the case.

ebs2002 · 10-10-2006, 07:41 AM

Don't worry about the shape of the eye, instead think of the eye as a single point (if it makes it easier to picture, assume you're closing one eye).

Imagine an object 2 inches from your eye. Now draw a line from your eye to the top and bottom of that object. The angle is pretty big. Now move the object back an inch, and the angle is getting smaller.

The smaller the angle, the smaller the object.

10-7-2006, 12:39 AM	#1
Grandiagod FFR Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Feaefaw Age: 35 Posts: 6,122	Perception of distance. I've been thinking about it for a while, and for the life of me I can't understand the physical reason why objects appear smaller at greater distances. I first thought that maybe the farther away you get the less photons get reflected back but that didn't make too much sense. Then I thought that it might just be a purely mental phenomenon, but once again, that didn't satisfy me. Helps. __________________ He who angers you conquers you. ~Elizabeth Kenny

10-7-2006, 12:49 AM	#2
T0rajir0u FFR Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: awsome Posts: 2,946	Re: Perception of distance. Your eye is a sphere. Objects farther away subtend a smaller angle on your eye. __________________ hehe

10-7-2006, 12:52 AM	#4
Chrissi FFR Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: The Game Age: 37 Posts: 3,019	Re: Perception of distance. Imagine if they WEREN'T smaller at greater distances. The world would look pretty ****ed up. I think that's a good enough reason. __________________ C is for Charisma, it's why people think I'm great! I make my friends all laugh and smile and never want to hate!

10-7-2006, 01:17 AM	#7
UberMario FFR Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Plus I'm hungry for ****. Age: 23 Posts: 1,777	Re: Perception of distance. Makes me wonder how birds' eyes are shaped. They have everything in focus at all times. __________________ That's cool Mario, but how come whenever you eat mushrooms, everything gets bigger but your dick?

10-7-2006, 01:51 AM	#8
T0rajir0u FFR Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: awsome Posts: 2,946	Re: Perception of distance. edit: what i meant to say is that it's impossible for anything with two eyes to have everything in focus at the same time do you even know what 'in focus' means edit: oh well according to the first result on google apparently birds only use one eye at a time to look closely at things which might explain it __________________ hehe Last edited by T0rajir0u; 10-7-2006 at 01:54 AM..

10-7-2006, 09:47 AM	#9
Cavernio sunshine and rainbows Join Date: Feb 2006 Age: 41 Posts: 1,987	Re: Perception of distance. Have you done lenses and mirrors in physics? That'd explain it more in depth. If the eye were flat, there'd be no focus, right? Last edited by Cavernio; 10-7-2006 at 09:50 AM..

10-9-2006, 01:50 AM	#11
Laharl FFR Player Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Las Vegas, NV Age: 38 Posts: 1,821	Re: Perception of distance. I am confused as to why this wouldn't be the case.

10-10-2006, 07:41 AM	#12
ebs2002 FFR Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Age: 40 Posts: 23	Re: Perception of distance. Don't worry about the shape of the eye, instead think of the eye as a single point (if it makes it easier to picture, assume you're closing one eye). Imagine an object 2 inches from your eye. Now draw a line from your eye to the top and bottom of that object. The angle is pretty big. Now move the object back an inch, and the angle is getting smaller. The smaller the angle, the smaller the object.

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