U. Wanderlingh, C. Branca, V. Nibali, Giovanna Ruello, U. Wanderlingh
{"title":"Mirage in a box: a classroom activity on the refractive index gradient","authors":"U. Wanderlingh, C. Branca, V. Nibali, Giovanna Ruello, U. Wanderlingh","doi":"10.1478/AAPP.99S1A21","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"The presentation will illustrate how to realize, in a transparent tank, a stable refractive index gradient by using sucrose solutions and a gelling agent. The apparatus will be used in a classroom for hand-on experiments on the refraction of light and on related topics, with particular emphasis on atmospheric effects such as mirages and Fata Morgana. Besides, in the preparation of this activity thermodynamical concepts, such as solubility, phase transitions and thermal stability are also involved. The ingredients and tools used in the preparation are easily available in household stores and do not present any risk of serious injuries. The potential applications of a refractive index gradient for optical fibres will be illustrated as well.","PeriodicalId":43431,"journal":{"name":"Atti Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti-Classe di Scienze Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.6000,"publicationDate":"2021-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"1","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Atti Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti-Classe di Scienze Fisiche Matematiche e Naturali","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1478/AAPP.99S1A21","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 1
Abstract
The presentation will illustrate how to realize, in a transparent tank, a stable refractive index gradient by using sucrose solutions and a gelling agent. The apparatus will be used in a classroom for hand-on experiments on the refraction of light and on related topics, with particular emphasis on atmospheric effects such as mirages and Fata Morgana. Besides, in the preparation of this activity thermodynamical concepts, such as solubility, phase transitions and thermal stability are also involved. The ingredients and tools used in the preparation are easily available in household stores and do not present any risk of serious injuries. The potential applications of a refractive index gradient for optical fibres will be illustrated as well.
期刊介绍:
This journal is of a multi- and inter-disciplinary nature and covers a broad range of fields including mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, earth sciences, and their intersection. History of science is also included within the topics addressed by the journal. The transactions of the Pelorian Academy started out as periodic news sheets containing the notes presented by the members of the Divisions into which the Academy has been and still is organized, according to subject areas. The publication of these notes for the Division (“Classe”) of Mathematical, Physical and Natural Sciences is the responsibility of the Editorial Committee, which is composed of the Director of the division with the role of Chairman, the Vice-Director, the Secretary and two or more other members. Besides original research articles, the journal also accepts texts from conferences and invited talks held in the Academy. These contributions are published in a different section of the journal. In addition to the regular issues, single monographic supplements are occasionally published which assemble reports and communications presented at congresses, symposia, seminars, study meetings and other scientific events organized by the Academy or under its patronage. Since 2004 these transactions have been published online in the form of an open access electronic journal.