Physics Demo Number: 157

Approximate

Run Time: 5 min

Quartz Light for Generating Infrared Radiation

Demo Description

Two special dedicated quartz tubes can be heated up electrically from room temperature through white hot with their Variac power supply.

Scientific Principles

• One may show the heating effect of infrared-radiation emitted by a device that can be carried from room temperature up through red and white hot appearance to the eyes.

Equipment

• The tubes are custom-mounted in their own box-type dedicated metal housing.

• A dedicated Variac power supply is included in the Kit.

Equipment Location

• Kit (157) on [C-2-3] houses the components.

Instructions

The photo shows the two-tube quartz light box with its dedicated Variac power supply.

One may have a student come and verify that the tubes put out warmth to their hand by infrared radiation.

Writeup created by David A. Burba

Copyright © 2013, Vanderbilt University.   All Rights Reserved.