MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: effect of temperature on light

Date: Sun Nov 8 21:09:59 1998
Posted by Ben Homola
Grade level: 7-9
School: Lee Middle School
City: Ft. Myers State/Province: FL
Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 910580999.Ph
Message:

I am working on a project about the effect of heat and atmospheric pressure on light. My dad is a land surveyor and he uses an electronic distance meter to measure distances. The instrument sends out a beam of light and it is reflected back by a reflector mounted on a tripod. The EDM has a built in adjustment for temperature and pressure. I'm trying to figure out what is temperature doing to the air that it would have so much effect that you have to adjust the instrument in order to be accurate. My dad says its the heat waves. I don't know what heat waves are. Could you help me understand this stuff?


Re: effect of temperature on light

Current Queue | Current Queue for Physics | Physics archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Physics. MadSci Home



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-1998. All rights reserved.