Parabolic Thermal Reflectors

From UO Physics Demonstration Catalog

Return to Heat and the First Law

Parabolic Thermal Reflec.gif

Description:

Two parabolic reflectors are aligned to demonstrate heat transfer by radiation. A thermometer or the radiation sensor is placed at the focal point of one of the reflectors. At the other focal point a small amount of alcohol is burned, or an object that has been chilled in liquid nitrogen is placed. The temperature at the other end will rise or fall depending on whether the object is hot or cold. The alignment must be very good to see the temperature decrease with the cold object at the other focal point.

Location:

  • Shelf E-0
  • Digital Therrometer