Physics Lab: Using thin film interference

Goal: To use light and the thin film principle to measure a very small object.

Background: Read about the nature of thin filmes in the Harvard Science presentation Thin Film Interference. You may want to play with bubble solution, but it isn't required for this lab.

Materials

• a limited wavelength source such as a laser, sodium light, or flashlight covered with yellow or red cellophane.
• two plane glass plates (flat sides must be parallel)
• micrometer
• paper
• ruler
• hand lens with a medium range focal length 5-15 cm long

Procedures and Data Handling

1. Follow the instructions for Lab #10 (PDF document) SMC Physical sciences website for conducting the experiment, collecting and presenting data, and carrying out your analysis.

Report

Follow the usual format for your lab report, but include answers to the questions on the lab PDF sheet in your analysis and conclusions.

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