8A20.20 - Albedo

Code Number:
8A20.20
Demo Title:
Albedo
Condition:
Good
Principle:
Reflection of Sunlight
Area of Study:
Solar System
Equipment:
Comet Demo, Rotating block with white and black surfaces, Flat and Crumpled Tin Foil, Moon or Earth Globe.
Procedure:

Place the rotating comet demo or black comet demo and either the earth or moon globe in the light from a slide projector.  Note how the light colored or shiny globe reflects much more light than the black spongy comet demo or the black surface on the rotating comet.  If you wish, you can look at the reflected light from the objects with a light sensor to produce a light curve.  

Hold a crumpled and flat piece of aluminum foil in the light from a slide projector.  Note how the flat shiny surface reflects much more light that the crumpled ball.  A light sensor may also be used to produce a light curve of the high albedo object.

References:
  • Frank Daniel Lock, "Diagramming the Sun-Earth-Moon System", TPT, Vol. 57, #5, May 2019, p. 276. 
  • Dulli Chandra Agrawal, "Earthshine, Moonshine, Albedos, Climate …", TPT, Vol. 56, #6, Sept. 2018, p. 406. 
  • Michael C. LoPresto, "Adding Albedo and Atmospheres", TPT, Vol. 51, #3, Mar. 2013, p. 152.
  • E. Scott Barr, "Photometry Disappearance", TPT, Vol. 24, #4, Apr. 1986, p. 200.
  • R. H. Garstang, "Brightness of Moonlight", TPT, #5, May 1985, p. 293.
  • C. J. Stigter, Y. B. Mjungu, and J. M. Waryoba, "Outdoor Demonstration Experiment on the Effect of Soil Albedo on Soil Surface Temperature", AJP, Vol. 52, #8, Aug. 1984, p. 742.
  • R. M. Price and K. M. Parrish, "Simple Light Scattering Demonstration", AJP, Vol. 50, #5, May 1982, p. 473.
  • Kendra Pierre-Louis, "Our Swiftly Dimming Planet", Popular Science, July/August 2017, p. 23.
  • Rebecca Boyle, "Terrascope", Popular Science, Sep 2013, p. 24.
  • Janice VanCleave, "Brighter", Janice VanCleave's 204 Sticky, Gloppy, Wacky & Wonderful Experiments, p. 17.
  • W. Bolton, "The Surface of the Moon", Book 2 - Waves and Particles, Physics Experiments and Projects, 1968, p. 75.

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.