Astronomy Practical – Carey Zimmer
The aim of this experiment is to verify the inverse square law involving the light from the globe of an optics kit (The star) and a light meter placed some distance away. This is to be done by analysing the relationship between the source and the detector.
Hypothesis: If the distance between a light source and a light meter increases, then the amount of Lux recorded on the light meter will decrease.
Materials:
• Light box kit
• Power supply
• Meter ruler
• Light meter
Method:
1. Set up and connect the light box to the power supply, with the power supply set to 8 volts
2. Make marks on the table at 10cm intervals
3. Turn the light box and light meter on and turn off all other lights in the room
4. Place light meter at the …show more content…
Our results were very consistent and did almost exactly what we expected them to do. The lux we recorded decreased as we moved away from the light source, just as the inverse square law said it would.
4. Discuss your result. What does your graph mean?
a. Our results showed that as you move away from a light source it appears to get dimmer. We tested it 3 times and got very similar results each time. Once we had the averages for each distance we plotted them on a graph with the distance squared. Looking at the shape of the graph we can see that the inverse square law is correct. This works the same way with stars, the further away we are from a star, the dimmer the star will seem.
5. Were there any problems or difficulties encountered in the experiment? Explain how they may have affected your results.
a. Our only major problem was that we didn’t realise there was a cover on the light meter, blocking almost all light from reaching it. Once we realised and took it off everything else was fine. If we hadn’t noticed and done the entire experiment with the cover on our results would have been extremely inaccurate.
6. If this was attempted again, explain what improvements you would make to the experimental
The aim of this experiment is to verify the inverse square law involving the light from the globe of an optics kit (The star) and a light meter placed some distance away. This is to be done by analysing the relationship between the source and the detector.
Hypothesis: If the distance between a light source and a light meter increases, then the amount of Lux recorded on the light meter will decrease.
Materials:
• Light box kit
• Power supply
• Meter ruler
• Light meter
Method:
1. Set up and connect the light box to the power supply, with the power supply set to 8 volts
2. Make marks on the table at 10cm intervals
3. Turn the light box and light meter on and turn off all other lights in the room
4. Place light meter at the …show more content…
Our results were very consistent and did almost exactly what we expected them to do. The lux we recorded decreased as we moved away from the light source, just as the inverse square law said it would.
4. Discuss your result. What does your graph mean?
a. Our results showed that as you move away from a light source it appears to get dimmer. We tested it 3 times and got very similar results each time. Once we had the averages for each distance we plotted them on a graph with the distance squared. Looking at the shape of the graph we can see that the inverse square law is correct. This works the same way with stars, the further away we are from a star, the dimmer the star will seem.
5. Were there any problems or difficulties encountered in the experiment? Explain how they may have affected your results.
a. Our only major problem was that we didn’t realise there was a cover on the light meter, blocking almost all light from reaching it. Once we realised and took it off everything else was fine. If we hadn’t noticed and done the entire experiment with the cover on our results would have been extremely inaccurate.
6. If this was attempted again, explain what improvements you would make to the experimental