Experimental Plan

The purpose of our experiment was to determine the changes in light intensity of a light bulb filament as a function of time after the airtight environment normally surrounding the filament was compromised. The environment surrounding the filament was destroyed by a BB gun while keeping power supplied to the light bulb throughout the experiment. The speed of the BB as it impacted the bulb was kept constant, as was the distance of the bulb from the barrel of the gun. The impact between the BB and the bulb was recorded in numerous photographs that were taken using the sweep photographic technique, one that involves photographically recording an event as it occurs over space and time. This produces a streak photograph that shows the event as is progresses over time; the average time required for the filament to dim was calculated through positions on the sweep photograph and knowledge of the photographs’ overall time frame.

Equipment

CAMERA

·         Nikon D1

·         Tripod

·         Telephoto Lens

·         TV Monitor

FLASH

·         Vivitar 283 Flash Units (2)

·         Variable Resistors for Flash Units (2)

·         Flash Mount

·         SB-4 AC Power Adapter 

·         Flash-to-Trigger Cord

RIFLE

·         Crosman 2100 Classic Pump-Action Rifle

·         Standard .177 Caliber BBs

·         Optoisolator

·         BB Trap (wood)

·         Solenoid Trigger Pull

MISCELLANEOUS

·         Black Background Cloths

·         Bulb Socket

·         Clear Bulbs

·         Power Strip

·         Ring Stands

·         C-clamps

ELECTRONICS

·         Apple II+

·         Monitor

·         Disc Drive

·         Gameport Interface Box

·         Blue Power Converter Box (for flash output)

·         Rotating Mirror

·         Laser

·         Phototransistor