Amber Medina

Guadalupe Esquivel
Zachary Dickinson
Marcus Hughes
Roxana Tinoco
1.1.2 Formal Writing Assignment- Viewing Tubes

Materials:

two 8.5 x 11 in. paper

one 11 x 17 in. paper
tape
ruler
marker

Before a group starts collecting data the group must make two or three distinct viewing tubes
(telescopes). Our group decided to make three distinct viewing tubes. As we were forming the
tubes, we predicted that the smaller the inner diameter and the bigger the outer diameter, the
greater the field of vision would be. We decided to make two cone shaped viewing tubes, and
one cylindrical viewing tube. We thought that the shape of the viewing tubes would not matter,
nor would the size of the paper affect the field of vision. After seeing the results the group
thought differently.

Our group constructed the following tubes:

Color of tube

Inner diameter

Outer Diameter

Length

Brown (coned)

1 inch

3 inches

9.25 inches

Orange (coned)

.75 inch

4 inches

18.25 inches

Blue (cylindrical)

4 inches

4 inches

8.5 in

Our group then decided to measure the field of vision from two different distances; one at
approximately 150 inches away from our designated point, and the other at approximately 70
inches away. The data collected was taken horizontally away from the designated area, for easier
collection. The designated area was a flat whiteboard against the wall. The group drew a number
line measured in inches on the whiteboard. Then two designated people were the ones that would
look through the viewing tubes, and tell the rest of the group what their field of vision was
according to the distance that was visible on the number line through the telescope.
Our group thought it would be easier to measure the field of vision horizontally to avoid more
complicated calculations. If we would have measured the field of vision at an angle, we wouldnt
have close to accurate results. To adjust, we would need calculations based on an elliptical field
of vision.
The data collected according to the dimensions mentioned above were the following:
150 inches

70 inches

Brown (coned)

42 inches

24 inches

Orange (coned)

30 inches

19 inches

Blue (cylindrical)

59 inches

33 inches

After analyzing the first set of data, as a group we were able to determine that the shape of the
viewing tube, the dimensions of the inner and outer diameters, and the length of the tubes were
all factors of the results. The cylindrical tube had the greatest field of vision compared to the
cone shaped tubes. The blue cylindrical tube had a diameter of 4 inches, the largest diameters
when compared to the other tubes, and it provided the greatest field of vision. The orange
cylindrical coned tube had an outer diameter of 4 inches as well, but its inner diameter was much
smaller, and this affected the field of vision seen through the tube. We believe the cylindrical
tube worked better because of its large diameter on both sides. On one end, it allowed the person
to have a bigger viewing window and on the other end, it allowed the person to have a wider
range (bigger field of vision). Therefore, our group believes that the diameter of the viewing
tubes affected the field of vision that was seen through the tube. We were also able to determine
that the length of the cone affected the field of vision as well. In other words if we take two
tubes with the same diameter, but with different lengths; the field of vision will be different in
both tubes.

After analyzing our data, our group and the class as a whole determined that there were a few
variables that would affect the field of vision seen through a telescope. These affecting variables
are:
distance from the designated object,
the length of the tube and,
the diameter of the viewing tubes.
Other affecting variables could have been the shape of the viewing tube.
Since there were a few factors that altered the results our group decided to alter two of the three
viewing tubes. The group decided to change the dimensions of the blue cylindrical tube and the
large orange coned tube into a cylinder. The new measurements of the viewing tubes are the
following:

Diameter

Length

Blue (cylinder)

2 inches

8.5 inches

Orange (cylinder)

4 inches

18 inches

The group decided to make the new viewing tubes into a cylindrical shape, for we all thought
that cylindrical tubes had a greater field of vision compared to the coned shaped tubes.
After the new tubes were ready, the same people measured and collected the new field of vision
data with the new tubes, at the same distances; 150 and 70 inches from the time line drawn.
The new data collected was the following:
150 inches

70 inches

Blue (cylinder)

29 inches

16 inches

Orange (cylinder)

30 inches

19 inches

As we collected data by changing variables and holding others constant, we find certain patterns:

The further we were from the whiteboard the large the field of vision.

As we increase the diameter of the cylinder we found the field of vision increases again.

But as the length increases our field of vision decreases.

Distance

Inner Diameter

Outer Diameter

Length of Tube

Field of Vision

70 in

2 in

3 in

8.5 in

16in dia

70 in

4 in

4 in

8.5 in

33 in dia

70 in

4 in

4 in

18 in

19 in dia

70 in

.75 in

4 in

18.25 in

19 in dia

70 in

1 in

3 in

9.25 in

24 in dia

150 in

2 in

2 in

8.5 in

29 in dia

150 in

4 in

4 in

8.5 in

59 in dia

150 in

4 in

4 in

18 in

30 in dia

150 in

1 in

3 in

9.25 in

42 in dia

150 in

.75 in

4 in

18.25 in

30 in dia

After seeing the different results we got from changing the variables, it was time to derive a
formula to determine the field of vision.

Let
Distance from the wall = W
Diameter of the cylinder = D
Length of the cylinder = L
Diameter of the field of vision = V
all in inches.

We are given all the measurements except for V. To figure out the diameter of the field of vision,
we need the laws of right triangles. First, we needed find the angle, ,in which the vision is
restricted by the cylinder (the blue triangle in the illustration above). Knowing the distance from
the wall, the radius, and the length of the cylinder, we are able to use tangent to find .
Tan() = opp / adj therefore,
= Tan-1(D/L).
Once we know what is, we can find the radius of the field of vision. We use tangent with and
the distance from the wall to figure out the field of vision.
Tan = opp/adj
Tan() = V/W, but we know = Tan-1(D/L).
So Tan(Tan-1(D/L)) = V/W.
Tan and Tan-1 cancel each other out so we are left with
(D/L) = V/W
but we want to solve for V so
W(D/L)=V
Finally, V is the radius of the field of vision, and F = 2V is the diameter.

Analysis
In our study, we did not predict the exact change in field of vision when changing the variables.
Instead, we predicted how the change of variables would affect the field of vision. We looked at
whether the field of vision would increase or decrease based on the what variable changed. When
analyzing the data values, we were able to determine which methods of comparison were
beneficial. We considered all three variables that had an effect on the field of vision, distance
from the wall, diameter of the cylinder, and length of the cylinder
First, we predicted that when the distance from the wall increases, the the field of vision will
become larger. This initial prediction was correct. Next, we predicted that when the outer
diameter of the cylinder increases, the field of vision will become larger. This was also a correct
prediction. Finally, we predicted that when the length of the cylinder increases, the field of vision
will also increase. This prediction was incorrect. When analyzing our data that we collected, we
found out that when the length of the cylinder increases, the field of vision actually decreases.
We were able to make these predictions after drawing a diagram of a cylinder in relation to the
wall. We determined that two of the comparison methods related to each other. The length of the
cylinder related to the distance from the end of the cylinder to the wall because when you change
the length of the cylinder, the outer diameter becomes closer or further from the board. This is
why whenever you increase the length of the viewing tube or move closer to the board, the field
of view becomes smaller.
Conclusion
After a few minutes of analyzing the data, our group concluded that the closer the tubes are to
the observable object, in this case the whiteboard, the smaller the field of vision. Also, the shape
of the viewing tubes affect the field of vision seen through the tubes. Our group agreed that
cylindrical viewing tubes allowed the viewer to see a greater field of vision through the tube.
Thus the shorter the length of the tubes the greater the field of vision, and the bigger the diameter
of the cylindrical tubes the greater the field of vision.

Viewing tubes Questions

1.
done?

What did you do to mitigate error in your data collection? What could you have

To minimize and eliminate error, our group assigned two people to look through the tubes
while remaining in the same place through the entire experiment. When taking and recording
measurements, we used many numbers that would be easier for calculations. However,
despite our efforts, there will always be error due to accuracy. In this particular experiment,
the most error can come from the perception of vision. To further minimize the error in
accuracy, hard equipment, and more precise measuring tools could have been used.
2.
How does your model take units into account? Is it necessary to convert the units
of the tube into the same units as the distance?
Our group took units into account. We measured everything in inches. We thought it was
important and convenient to use the same units for it would be easier to compute and
correlate the results.
3.
If you had a tube with diameter 2 inches and length 14 inches, how far would you
need to stand from the wall to view a 3 x 4 foot painting on the wall? Is the problem making
an assumption on where the painting is hanging?
By using the obtained formula
W(D/L) = V

Plugging in the numbers

W((2in.)/14in.) = 60in.
W(0.14 in.) = 60in.
W = 428.57 in
The person would have to be approximately 429 inches (35 ft) away from the wall to view
the entire picture. For our formula, the center of the painting is assumed to be at eye level
with the person.

4.
For a given tube of diameter d and length l, at what distance from the wall would
your formula for the size of vision break down because the ground came into view if a
persons eye level was h? Create a piecewise function that accounts for this phenomenon.
The formula breaks down for:
H < W(L/D) -> V= W(L/D) - A(D/L)
H >= W(L/D) -> V= W(L/D)
D is the diameter of tube
L is the length of the tube
H height from ground to eye level
V the diameter of the field of vision
W = A + B distance to wall
A = D - B distance after ground is in field of vision
B = (L/D)H distance before the ground in in field of vision

5. How does the problem change if the tube is not held level, but inclined at an angle ?
As the formula states it by using tangent (opposite/ adjacent)
Tan = > Tan [Tan^1 (D/L)] = V/W
and ultimately simplifying the equation to,

D/L = V/W
W(D/L) = V we obtain the field of vision. According to the formula obtained if the tube is not
held level, then the field of vision would not change because we are not taking into account
the angle at which the tube is being held. We are simply using the properties of Tangent to
help us find the field of vision.