Difference between revisions of "Mach bands" - New World Encyclopedia
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[[Category:Psychology]] | [[Category:Psychology]] | ||
| − | + | [[Image:Mach band.svg|frame|right|Notice the dark band that appears immediately to the right and the light band that appears immediately to the left of the gradient.]] | |
'''Mach bands''' are an [[optical illusion]] where a band of gradients will appear in places to be lighter or darker than they actually are. | '''Mach bands''' are an [[optical illusion]] where a band of gradients will appear in places to be lighter or darker than they actually are. | ||
==Discovery== | ==Discovery== | ||
| − | Mach bands were discovered by the | + | '''Mach bands''' were discovered by the [[Austria]]n [[physics|physicist]] [[Ernst Mach]]. Mach is known for his work in [[optics]], [[mechanics]], and [[wave dynamics]], as well as notable advances in the field of [[supersonic]] travel (the [[Mach number]] is also named for him.) Mach discovered the [[physiology|physiological]] phenomenon of Mach bands during the 1860s.<ref>[http://www.phy.bg.ac.yu/web_projects/giants/mach.html "Ernst Mach"] Institute of Physics, Belgrade. Retrieved October 12, 2007.</ref> |
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
When looking at Mach bands, one sees a central band of a light to dark [[gradient]] surrounded on one side by the lightest color and on the opposite side by the darkest color. When looking at this gradient, one sees a band along both the light edge that appears to be lighter than the solid field surrounding it, and a band along the dark edge that appears darker than its surroundings. In reality, there is no color darker or lighter than the surrounding fields. | When looking at Mach bands, one sees a central band of a light to dark [[gradient]] surrounded on one side by the lightest color and on the opposite side by the darkest color. When looking at this gradient, one sees a band along both the light edge that appears to be lighter than the solid field surrounding it, and a band along the dark edge that appears darker than its surroundings. In reality, there is no color darker or lighter than the surrounding fields. | ||
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==Explanation== | ==Explanation== | ||
The explanation of Mach bands is often based on the concept of [[lateral inhibition]]. Lateral inhibition is a process by which the collection of light by [[retina]]l cells in the eye is affected by the light collection of neighboring cells. In nature, this helps boost the perception of object edges, making it easier to see the edge of an object that might otherwise not be noticed. | The explanation of Mach bands is often based on the concept of [[lateral inhibition]]. Lateral inhibition is a process by which the collection of light by [[retina]]l cells in the eye is affected by the light collection of neighboring cells. In nature, this helps boost the perception of object edges, making it easier to see the edge of an object that might otherwise not be noticed. | ||
| − | An alternative explanation of Mach bands has to do with the way the eye and brain perceive highlights and lowlights, creating | + | An alternative explanation of Mach bands has to do with the way the eye and brain perceive highlights and lowlights, creating [[harmonic]]s in the visual waveforms that merge in certain areas and create the illusion of darker or lighter sections.<ref>Colin Blakemore, K. Adler, and M. Pointon. ''Vision: Coding and Efficiency'' (Cambridge University Press 1993 ISBN 0521447690)</ref> |
==Applications== | ==Applications== | ||
| − | Mach bands, as well as numerous other visual and perceptual | + | Mach bands, as well as numerous other visual and perceptual [[illusion]]s, help scientists study the way the eye and brain process visual information. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | <references/> | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
*Blackmore, J.T., R. Itagaki, and S. Tanaka. ''Ernst Mach's Vienna 1895-1930: Or Phenomenalism as Philosophy of Science (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science)'' August 2001. Springer. ISBN 0792371224 | *Blackmore, J.T., R. Itagaki, and S. Tanaka. ''Ernst Mach's Vienna 1895-1930: Or Phenomenalism as Philosophy of Science (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science)'' August 2001. Springer. ISBN 0792371224 | ||
| − | {{cite journal | author=Lotto RB, Williams SM, Purves D | title=Mach bands as empirically derived associations | journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] | volume=96 | issue=9 | year=1999 | pages=5245-50 | id=PMID 10220451}} | + | *{{cite journal | author=Lotto RB, Williams SM, Purves D | title=Mach bands as empirically derived associations | journal=[[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences]] | volume=96 | issue=9 | year=1999 | pages=5245-50 | id=PMID 10220451}} |
*Ratliff, Floyd. ''Mach Bands: Quantitative Studies on Neural Networks in the Retina'' June 1965. Holden Day. ISBN 0816270457 | *Ratliff, Floyd. ''Mach Bands: Quantitative Studies on Neural Networks in the Retina'' June 1965. Holden Day. ISBN 0816270457 | ||
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== External links == | == External links == | ||
| − | * [http://www.nist.gov/lispix/imlab/illusions/machband.html | + | All links Retrieved November 12, 2007. |
| − | * [http://www.purveslab.net/ Laboratory of Dale Purves | + | * [http://www.nist.gov/lispix/imlab/illusions/machband.html Mach band illusion] |
| − | + | * [http://www.purveslab.net/ Laboratory of Dale Purves] | |
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{{Credits|Mach_bands|115627043|}} | {{Credits|Mach_bands|115627043|}} | ||
Revision as of 22:14, 12 November 2007
Mach bands are an optical illusion where a band of gradients will appear in places to be lighter or darker than they actually are.
Discovery
Mach bands were discovered by the Austrian physicist Ernst Mach. Mach is known for his work in optics, mechanics, and wave dynamics, as well as notable advances in the field of supersonic travel (the Mach number is also named for him.) Mach discovered the physiological phenomenon of Mach bands during the 1860s.[1]
Description
When looking at Mach bands, one sees a central band of a light to dark gradient surrounded on one side by the lightest color and on the opposite side by the darkest color. When looking at this gradient, one sees a band along both the light edge that appears to be lighter than the solid field surrounding it, and a band along the dark edge that appears darker than its surroundings. In reality, there is no color darker or lighter than the surrounding fields.
Explanation
The explanation of Mach bands is often based on the concept of lateral inhibition. Lateral inhibition is a process by which the collection of light by retinal cells in the eye is affected by the light collection of neighboring cells. In nature, this helps boost the perception of object edges, making it easier to see the edge of an object that might otherwise not be noticed.
An alternative explanation of Mach bands has to do with the way the eye and brain perceive highlights and lowlights, creating harmonics in the visual waveforms that merge in certain areas and create the illusion of darker or lighter sections.[2]
Applications
Mach bands, as well as numerous other visual and perceptual illusions, help scientists study the way the eye and brain process visual information.
Notes
- ↑ "Ernst Mach" Institute of Physics, Belgrade. Retrieved October 12, 2007.
- ↑ Colin Blakemore, K. Adler, and M. Pointon. Vision: Coding and Efficiency (Cambridge University Press 1993 ISBN 0521447690)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Blackmore, J.T., R. Itagaki, and S. Tanaka. Ernst Mach's Vienna 1895-1930: Or Phenomenalism as Philosophy of Science (Boston Studies in the Philosophy of Science) August 2001. Springer. ISBN 0792371224
- Lotto RB, Williams SM, Purves D (1999). Mach bands as empirically derived associations. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 96 (9): 5245-50. PMID 10220451.
- Ratliff, Floyd. Mach Bands: Quantitative Studies on Neural Networks in the Retina June 1965. Holden Day. ISBN 0816270457
External links
All links Retrieved November 12, 2007.
Credits
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