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Old trench periscopes worked by using two mirrors to bounce light from one place to another. A typical periscope uses two mirrors at 45 degree angles to the direction one desires to see. The light bounces from one to the other and
then out to the persons eye.
If there is an object in front of you, any nearby light source (i.e the sun, a lamp etc.) bounces straight rays of light onto the object and then into your eyes, enabling you to see it. However, if the object is not within straight lines of your eyes, the light will not find them and you will not be able to see the object (since light only travels in straight lines).
But a periscope works using the laws of reflection. Reflective objects like mirrors work by bouncing light so it carries on in a straight line but alters it's route, according to the angle of the mirror to the light source. This means that if the mirror was at a 45 degree angle to the light source then it would bounce off at a perpendicular (90 degree) angle. That is how a periscope works.
The important fact to note when considering a periscope is that the laws of reflection mean that the light hitting a mirror at an angle is reflected off at twice the angle of the mirror. Thus a 45 degree mirror reflects light rays through 90 degrees.
Submarine Periscopes
Submarine optical periscopes don't use mirrors due to their fragility and susceptibility to environmental conditions/changes, requiring special coatings. Instead, they use refractive prisms.
The newer U.S. Virginia-class and British Astute-class boats use neither; they use a Photonics Mast, which is essentially a hi-resolution camera array that is raised above the waterline. This has many advantages, the primary one being that the Control Room need not be directly under the main sail as in all previous modern submarine designs.
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DevinA periscope uses mirrors to redirect light so that objects above the surface of the water can be viewed from within a submerged submarine or other vessel. Light enters the periscope through the top lens, bounces off a series of mirrors inside the periscope, and then exits through the eyepiece, allowing the observer to see objects without the need to breach the water's surface.
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How much does a periscope cost?
The cost of a periscope can vary depending on the size, quality, and brand. On average, a simple periscope for recreational use can range from $20 to $100. More specialized or military-grade periscopes can cost several thousand dollars.
What part of a submarine contains the periscope?
The periscope of a submarine is located in the sail, also known as the conning tower. This structure is situated above the main hull and contains various equipment, including the periscope, which allows submariners to observe the surface while the submarine remains submerged.
What would a periscope be used for?
To see over walls and in submarines
How is light redirected in a periscope?
Light enters the periscope through one end and reflects off a series of mirrors inside which are set at specific angles. The mirrors then redirect the light so that it exits through the other end of the periscope, allowing the viewer to see objects or scenes that are not in a direct line of sight.
How do you use a periscope?
To use a periscope, you look through one end while the other end is extended above an obstacle or around a corner to view something that is out of your line of sight. By using the mirrors inside the periscope, you can see images from a different angle without exposing yourself.
