Light the Match , 4B40.10

Location:

attachment:TD4B40_10-01a.jpg

Description:

Two large parabolic reflectors, 12 inches in diameter, one with a "white tipped" stick match at it's focus and the other with a nichrome heater element at it's focus. Each reflector has two adjusters on it, one adjust for height and the other for tilt angle. Both adjusters will be important with the alignment of the foci of both reflectors.

Equipment

Location

ID Number

Two Parabolic reflectors

[:ThermoCabinetBayB3: TD, B3, Shelf #1]

4B40.10

Heater

[:ThermoCabinetBayB3: TD, B3, Shelf #1]

Match

Setup:

  1. Aligned the two parabolic reflectors across the table.
  2. Put the heater at the focus of one reflector and a match at the focus of the other.

Cautions, Warnings, or Safety Concerns:

  1. Try to align really carefully because if they are not aligned appropriately, the match will take time to light.
  2. Beware of the heater.

Demonstration:

This demonstration shows that the energy of infrared radiation can be focused and transmitted much the same way as light and sound. After setup, you just plug the heater in to the outlet and wait. You will see that the match is light due to the heat radiation focuses and transmits to the match.

attachment:TD4B40_10-01i.jpg

attachment:TD4B40_10-02i.jpg

attachment:TD4B40_10-05i.jpg

attachment:TD4B40_10-03i.jpg

attachment:TD4B40_10-04i.jpg

References:

  1. List any references

[:FirstLaw:Heat and the First Law]

[:Demonstrations:Demonstrations]

[:Instructional:Home]