Science Lab Experiment: Radiometer
Demonstration Radiometer
Object: To determine characteristics of the radiometer.
Materials: radiometer, sunlight (light bulb)
Diagram:
Method: The radiometer was set up close to a light source and checked to make
sure that it was level. The radiometer was observed in the light and
in the shade.
Observations: It was seen that as the light hit the vanes, they turned rapidly.
In the shade there was no motion.
Conclusions: Since the vanes were painted alternately black and white, it was
concluded that the black absorbed the energy of the light,
which caused the air molecules in the area to speed up.
As these molecules bounced into the white sections, they caused
the vanes to spin.
