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L5-12. Plexiglass Spiral
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L5-12. Plexiglass Spiral
Purpose
To demonstrate that internal reflection.
Equipment
Plexiglass spiral with attached lamp.
Images
Description
Due to total internal reflection the light from the lamp remains mostly confined within the spiral plexiglass rod,and only exits at the end, where the angle between the surface and the incoming light exceeds the critical angle. Actually, some light escapes at scratches along the spiral, as can be seen in the photograph.
References
P. J. Ouseph, "Colgate-Plus" - An Imperfect Light Pipe, TPT 31, 405 (1993).
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See pagesl1. light sources & light rays
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See pagesl2. plane mirrors
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See pagesl3. curved mirrors
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See pagesl4. refraction
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See pagesl5. total internal reflection
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See pagesl6. lenses
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See pagesl7. optical instruments
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See pagesl1. light sources & light rays
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See pagesl2. plane mirrors
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See pagesl3. curved mirrors
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See pagesl4. refraction
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See pagesl5. total internal reflection
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See pagesl6. lenses
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See pagesl7. optical instruments
Physics Lab Demos