journal
of science education
Classroom
In this section of Resonance, we invite readers to pose
questions likely to be raised in a classroom situation. We may suggest
strategies for dealing with them, or invite responses, or both. “Classroom”
is equally a forum for raising broader issues and sharing personal experiences
and viewpoints on matters related to teaching and learning science.
What is Fishy about the Fish’s Eye?
S Chatterjee
Maxwell’s fish’s eye problem is important
because it addresses some important issues on the focusing properties
optical instruments. The common instruments like lenses, prisms, etc.
are the ones where the refractive index changes abruptly at an interface
between two media, e.g. air and glass. Maxwell addressed the issue whether
there can be focusing effects in media where the refractive index varies
continuously, such media being called stratified media.
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