Large Clear Glass Bowl, Water, Ellipse Transparencies.

 

Code Number: 8A30.45

Demo Title: Distortion due to Refraction

Condition: Good

Principle: Refraction in a Medium, Atmospheric Scattering

Area of Study: Astronomy, Optics

Equipment: 

Large Clear Glass Bowl, Water, Ellipse Transparencies.

Procedure:

Fill bowl with clear filtered water. Dip the ellipse transparencies into the water and observe the distorted images.

References:

  • Neil M. Shea and John Loomis, "Estimating the Effective Depth of the Atmosphere Using The Old Farmer's Almanac", TPT, Vol. 35, # 2, p. 90 Feb. 1997.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Twinkling Star", 202 Oozing, Bubbling, Dripping, & Bouncing Experiments, pp. 15.