KaleidoscopeMake your own reflecting kaleidoscope

Written By: Kailash NR

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 1 of 11

INTRODUCTION

A kaleidoscope is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces tilted to each other in anangle, which helps in multiple reflection. Here we make one using the Tac Tube, some mirrors, tapeand small colourful bits of plastic and foam

TOOLS:Scissors (1)Cellophane tape (1)Glue (1)

PARTS:Mirrors (1)Cylindrical Tube with Cap (1)Cardboard Sheet (1)Transparent sheet (1)Foam balls (1)Coloured transparent plastic sheet (1)

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 2 of 11

— Precautions

Scissors have functional sharp edges. Contact may result in injury. Always keep blades away fromfingers and body. Handle with care.

— Step 1 - Assembling the mirrors

Take 3 rectangular mirrors of 20 cm by 6 cm and peel off the transparent coating.

Join them as shown in the image using clear tape on the non shining side.

— Step 2 - Folding I

Fold the mirrors into a triangular prism structure and tape it, as shown.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 3 of 11

— Step 3 - Folding II

Take 3 foam sheet strips of thickness 2.5 mm and dimension 18 cm by 3 cm.

Using clear tape, paste the foam strip on the corners of the prism structure as shown.

— Step 4 - Folding III

Paste the foam strip on all three corners.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 4 of 11

— Step 5 - Foam Ball Holder I

Take a rectangular cardboard strip of 26 cm by 2 cm.

With the help of the inner wall of the tube, make circular holder and glue it.

Make sure that the holder is stiff, slides, and is removable.

— Step 6 - Foam Ball Holder II

Apply glue on the rim of the holder.

Paste it on the transparent sheet.

Let it dry and cut-off the extras.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 5 of 11

— Step 7 - Foam Ball Holder III

Add foam balls in it holder.

Apply glue and seal it with transparent sheet.

Let it dry and cut off the extras.

— Step 8 - Foam Ball Holder IV

Take 2cm by 1cm cardboard strip and paste it on the Foam ball holder as shown.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 6 of 11

— Step 9 - Colour Filter I

Trace the outline of the tube on the cardboard .

Draw a small triangle on the circumference of a circle as shown.

— Step 10 - Colour Filter II

Draw a dotted concentric circle of radius 1 cm less than the cardboard circle.

Join them as shown.

Now, cut along the outline to get an annular disc.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 7 of 11

— Step 11 - Colour Filter III

Apply glue on the circular cutout.

Stick/paste a coloured transparent sheet (yellow).

Cut the extras as shown.

— Step 12 - Assemble The Parts

Follow the same procedure and prepare another colour filter.

Take the cylindrical tube (height - 24cm, inner diameter - 7.6cm), insert the Kaleidoscope into thetube completely.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 8 of 11

— Play !!

Insert the foam ball holder into thetube and rotate it to observedifferent patterns.

— Play !!

Insert the colour filter and observethe patterns.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 9 of 11

— Play !!

Try combination of Foam ball holder and colour filter.

— Troubleshooting

Image not clear. Make sure that mirror is free from scratches.

pattern not clear. Make sure there is enough light entering the tube.

— Observation I

Take A5 size sheet, draw a 3cm by 3cm square in the centre and draw a triangle as shown usingpencil.

Colour it, erase the pencil marks.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 10 of 11

— Observation II

Fill the observation table.

Kaleidoscope Release: 1.0 [major] 2019-02-04Guide ID: 520 -

This document was generated on 2019-10-08 04:48:43 AM (MST).

© 2019 Page 11 of 11