Demonstrations

Fiber Optics - Water Stream Light Pipe

Code Number :	6A44.45
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Critical Angle and Total Internal Reflection
Area of Study :	Optics
Equipment :	Plexiglas Water Tank with Side Hole, Laser.
Procedure :	Shine the laser through the Plexiglas water tank so that the beam exits the tank through the hole in the side. Fill the tank with water so that the water is above the level of the laser beam. The beam will follow the stream of water for an impressive display of internal reflection and critical angle.

References

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "The Liquid Vein," TPT, Vol. 35, # 4, p. 207, (April 1997).

Gordon R. Gore, "Conversation of Colour?", TPT, Vol. 30, # 6, Sept. 1992, p. 352.

Samuel Derman, "Light Pipes, Hydrostatics, Surface Tension and Milk Carton", TPT, Vol. 22, # 1, Jan. 1984, p. 42.

Robert B. Prigo and Abel Rosales, "A Quick and Simple Laser Fountain", TPT, Vol. 16, # 5, May 1978, p. 296.

O-250: "Soda Bottle & Flask with Laser," DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook.

7.1.5: "Fiber Optics," Cunningham and Herr, Hands-On Physics Activities with Real Life Applications, p. 443.

Brown, "The Light Pipe," 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children, p. 122.

Robert Ehrlich, "Fountain of Light," Turning the World Inside Out, p. 181-182.

T. D. Rossing, C. J. Chiaverina, "# 7, Liquid Light Pipe", Light Science, Physics and Visual Arts, p. 102.

Joey Green, "Electric Waterfall", The Mad Scientist Handbook, Vol. 2, p. 29.

Created by Robert Johnson, Jeremy Eble, Chad Johnson, and Adam Johanns.