Independent Project on the Human Eye

The Assignment:

· Design a presentation (using poster board or PowerPoint) on the human eye, focusing on the absorption of electromagnetic waves.

· Present your project to the entire class.

· Create a follow-up quiz to be taken by your fellow students.

Your project must address the following questions / issues:

(1) What types of electromagnetic receptors do our eyes have?

(2) What distinguishes the different types of cones? And the rods?

(3) What are the individual sensitivities (numbers of photons) of cones and rods?

(4) How are cones and rods distributed around your eye?

(5) What does the answer to the previous question tell you about where you should focus in order to see under different circumstances?

(6) Research and find some fun and interesting optical illusions to present to the class. The optical illusions should be based on how your eyes work. Be sure you can explain how the illusion works!