1. The Nature of Light - Newton vs Huijgens
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In the 17th Century the nature of light was hotly debated. Newton proposed a particle model, whereas Huygens suggested a wave model.
This video looks at these models and the way each model is used to explain key weight phenomena. It also looks at the outcome |
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2. Diffraction -Young's Double Slit Experiment and Diffraction Gratings
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Diffraction Grating
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Young's Double slit experiment, an experiment based on diffraction conclusively provide evidence of the wave nature of light, though at the time of the experiment, it was controversial.
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Diffraction Grating
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How do diffraction grating work and what can we use them for? Watch and find out
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3. The nature of Light - its speed determination
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In part 1, this video look at the history of how light speed was determined prior to the 20th century starting at Rømer up to Foucault. |
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In part 2 of the series, I look at the work of Essen using a microwave cavity, and also show you how you can model the experiment using your own microwave oven.
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In part 3, I look at more recent efforts in determining the speed of light, leading to the point where the speed was set. I also look at the reason why and its a discussion on how we measure variables with increasing precision.
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4. The nature of Light - Maxwell and electromagnetism
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This video looks at Maxwell's equations in a non mathematical way and how that led to a totally new understanding of the nature of light
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5. Spectroscopy
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This video examine what spectroscopy is, including absorption and emission spectroscopy and includes a demonstration at the University of Sydney |
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6. Polarization
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What is Polarisation and how does it demonstrate the wave nature of light?
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There are a number of ways we can explore this concepts further.
One aspect of most high school physics course on kinematics, is that they only concern themselves with constant acceleration. In reality however, acceleration, like displacement and velocity, can chance with respect to time.
Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. Unit: m/s2
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
So what is the rate of change of acceleration?
The answer to that is the jerk. So slope of the acceleration vs time graph is the jerk. Unit: m/s3
We can go further.
What is the rate of change of the jerk?
Well it's the snap. Unit: m/s4
Can we go further? Yep. The rate of change of snap is the crackle. Unit: m/s5
I think you can guess the next one.
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- pHET graphing animation - this interactive from the University of Colorado pHet team is a great way to demonstrate the relationship between motion and its graphical analysis. That why I used it in my video. At this time its Java based so will only work on PC/Mac
7. The Blackbody curve and Wien's Law
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This video examines the basics of the blackbody curve and its relation to the temperature of a radiation emitting blackbody, as described by Wien's Displacement Law.
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7. Rayleigh Scattering - why the sky is blue
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This video examine the behaviour of Rayleigh scattering in the context why the sky is blue during the day, and why sunrises and sunset are red-orange.
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8. The physics of colour
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