Vernier Laser Pointer
Contents
1. Laser Pointer Order Code LASER The Alpec Laser Pointer is a Class IIIa diode laser with a power of less than 5 mW The laser has a wavelength between 630 and 680 nm and is powered by two AAA batteries which are included A touch button can be found on the side of the pointer Press this button to turn the laser on Lasers and laser pointers have many uses in science courses e The Laser Pointer has many uses when combined with the Vernier Photogate The Vernier Photogate has two detectors One detector on the inside of the photogate allows you to use the photogate in a normal arrangement e g measure the time that the gate is blocked as an object passes through the photogate The second detector on the outside of the photogate can be used with a laser to produce a gate that is wider than the normal 7 5 cm spacing This wide photogate has many applications For example o You can set up a photogate wide enough to measure the speed of an automobile or a person You could even measure hand speed during a karate chop o You can set up a photogate and the Laser Pointer close to the ground A person standing in the beam will block the gate When he jumps vertically his hang time can be measured by the unblocking of the photogate o Using the arrangement described above you could drop a ball into the laser beam As it bounces in the beam you can use the blocking and unblocking events to calculate the coefficient of restitution and dwell t2. ime o You can verify the shutter speed of a film camera by letting the beam pass through the lens and out the back of the camera o You can measure the speed of a motor by determining the interruptions of a beam caused by the light passing through spokes in a wheel The Laser Pointer can be used with interference kits to observe interference patterns When used with a data collection interface and sensors intensity patterns can be recorded A simple way to do this was described by Andrew DePino Jr in The Physics Teacher Diffraction Patterns Using a Constant Velocity Cart The Physics Teacher 40 418 419 October 2002 In the article he describes how to attach a Vernier Light Sensor to a constant velocity car As the car moves perpendicularly through the beam the graph of light intensity vs time approximates a graph of light intensity vs distance To take the experiment one step further you can directly measure light intensity vs distance data by combining a Light Sensor with a Rotary Motion Sensor e Use the Laser Pointer to observe laser radiation The radiation can be made visible in air by clapping two chalkboard erasers in the beam to create a cloud of reflecting particles Caution As with any laser caution must be exercised when using the laser pointer The Laser Pointer emits laser radiation and therefore should not be pointed at the eye Pay special attention to the location of the aperture which is on the same end
3. of the pointer as the clip A caution label can also be found on this end of the pointer Direct eye contact with the laser beam may cause serious injury Students should be reminded that this is not a toy and it should be kept out of reach of children Battery Installation To install the batteries remove the end cap of the pointer the end opposite the aperture Install the 2 AAA batteries with the positive end of the batteries pointing toward the open end of the case After replacing the end cap test the pointer by pointing the aperture toward a wall and pressing the ON OFF touch button on the side of the pointer Accessories A Laser Pointer Stand is available from Vernier Software amp Technology order code STAND 14 The stand provides a convenient way to mount the Laser Pointer It holds the laser in place and even holds the power button down for ease of use during an experiment Measure Analyze Learn Vernier Software amp Technology 13979 S W Millikan Way e Beaverton OR 97005 2886 Toll Free 888 837 6437 e 503 277 2299 e FAX 503 277 2440 info vernier com e www vernier com Rev 8 2 11 ay 8 Printed on recycled paper
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