How does a strobe light work?

2. A strobe light works by illuminating an object with a very brief flash of light.

If this flash of light is repeated at the same rate as an object is rotating, then the rotating object will appear to be stationary.

The flash of light is produced by a flash tube similar to that on a modern camera, but one capable of having a very short pulse of light, and at very great intensity.

The modern Strobe light was invented by Edgerton, and he went on to invent Side Scan Sonar, a powerful technique for viewing the seabed.

The primitive origin of the strobe light can be seen as a slit in a cardboard disk, which is rotation at the same speed as the object is rotating.

The technique is not limited to rotating machinery - any repetitive motion may be studied. And with single flashes, a short-lived phenomena may be captured on film.