ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Phosphoroscope

A phosphoroscope is a machine that is used by scientists to study light. It is like a box with a glass plate at the top and a handle on the side. When you turn the handle, the glass plate starts to spin very fast.

Inside the box, there is a tiny light bulb that blinks on and off very quickly. The blinking light shines on the spinning glass plate, which reflects the light in different directions.

This creates a very cool effect where you can see the light as a streak or a line. Scientists use this machine to study how light moves and changes over time. It helps them understand things like how lightning works or how colors are created.

So when you hear the word "phosphoroscope," just imagine a spinning box that shows you really cool streaks of light!