6A44.45 - Fiber Optics - Water Stream Light Pipe

Code Number:
6A44.45
Demo Title:
Fiber Optics - Water Stream Light Pipe
Condition:
Excellent
Principle:
Critical Angle and Total Internal Reflection
Area of Study:
Optics

Disclaimer

Equipment:
Plexiglas Water Tank with Side Hole, and 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:
  • Tyler Foley, Matthew Pegram, Zachary Jenkins, Brooke C. Hester, and Jennifer L. Burris, "Laser Soap Fountain", TPT, Vol. 53, #1, Jan 2015, p. 10.
  • Thomas B. Greenslade Jr., "The Liquid Vein", TPT, Vol. 35, #4, Apr. 1997, p. 207.
  • Gordon R. Gore, "Conversation of Colour?", TPT, Vol. 30, #6, Sept. 1992, p. 352.
  • Samuel Derman and R. D. Edge, "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.
  • A. Kshatriya, "Water Jet as a Laser Light Pipe", AJP, Vol. 44, #6, June 1976, p. 604.
  • "O-250. Soda Bottle & Flask with Laser", DICK and RAE Physics Demo Notebook, 1993.
  • John Henry Pepper, Henry George Hine, The Boy's Playbook of Science, p. 293.
  • George M. Hopkins', "Double Refraction", Experimental Science, Vol. 2, p. 82.
  • T. Kallard, "The Luminous Fountain", Exploring Laser Light, p. 64.
  • Mark Davids, "Trapping Light", Teaching about Lightwave Communications, 1994, p. 3-21.
  • Vicki Cobb and Kathy Darling, "Liquid Lamp", Bet You Can!, p. 53.
  • Borislaw Bilash II and David Maiullo, "Light Pipe", A Demo a Day: A Year of Physics Demonstrations, p. 342.
  • Julien Clinton Sprott, "6.6. Water Light Guide", Physics Demonstrations, ISBN 0-299-21580-6, p. 245.
  • James Cunningham and Norman Herr, "7.1.5. Fiber Optics", Hands-On Physics Activities with Real Life Applications, p. 443.
  • Robert J. Brown, "The Light Pipe," 200 Illustrated Science Experiments for Children, p. 122.
  • Robert Ehrlich, "P.7. Fountain of Light", Turning the World Inside Out and 174 Other Simple Physics Demonstrations, p. 181 - 182.
  • T. D. Rossing and 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.
  • Bobby Mercer, "Wacky Waterfall", Junk Drawer Physics, p. 90. 
  • Borislaw Bilash II, “Soda Bottle Optics“, A Demo A Day – A Year of Physical Science Demonstrations, p. 314.

Disclaimer: These demonstrations are provided only for illustrative use by persons affiliated with The University of Iowa and only under the direction of a trained instructor or physicist.  The University of Iowa is not responsible for demonstrations performed by those using their own equipment or who choose to use this reference material for their own purpose.  The demonstrations included here are within the public domain and can be found in materials contained in libraries, bookstores, and through electronic sources.  Performing all or any portion of any of these demonstrations, with or without revisions not depicted here entails inherent risks.  These risks include, without limitation, bodily injury (and possibly death), including risks to health that may be temporary or permanent and that may exacerbate a pre-existing medical condition; and property loss or damage.  Anyone performing any part of these demonstrations, even with revisions, knowingly and voluntarily assumes all risks associated with them.