An observer views a highly detailed, multicoloured painting under bright daytime lighting, and then views the same painting under extremely dim, moonless night conditions.
State and explain two differences in the perceived image under these two conditions. In your answer, you should refer to the photoreceptors in the retina and their pathways to the brain.
Astronomers preparing for stargazing sessions often sit in a dark room or wear highly specialized dark goggles before starting their observations.
What is the physiological term for the process by which the eye adjusts its sensitivity to low light levels?
Choose one option:
Explain why an astronomer needs to wait at least 30 to 45 minutes in darkness for this process to be fully effective before observing faint stars.
11 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Physics Physics of the eye (A-level only), covering Physics of vision (A-level only) and Defects of vision and their correction using lenses (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.