Archimedes and caustics: A twofold multimedia and experimental approach

Abstract

In this work we present a twofold educational approach to the reflective properties of surfaces, starting from the historical context of Archimedes “burning mirrors”. The properties of the emerging surface known as “caustic” of a given smoothly shaped mirror are illustrated by an interactive multimedia. An experimental device is also proposed to visualize the geometrical principles underlying the formation of caustics. The proposed didactical trail is intended also to contextualize the figure and work of Archimedes in a perspective tightly linked to modern technology, so to collect young learners’ interest.