Light Intensity vs. Distance
The relative light intensity versus distance from a point light source is plotted and compared to theory.
Polarization of Light
The plot of light intensity versus angle between two polarizers is fitted to the square of the cosine of the angle, verifying the Law of Malus.
Brewster's Angle
Explore how the intensity and polarization of light changes when reflected from the surface of a transparent medium, and then compare the experimental...
Interference and Diffraction
Diffraction and interference patterns are measured for single and double slits by scanning the laser pattern with a light sensor and plotting light intensity...
Electrostatic Charges
Compare and contrast the results of three different methods of charging: (1) rubbing two objects together; (2) touching a charged object to a neutral one;...
Electric Field Mapping
This qualitative activity introduces the concepts of equipotential surfaces and electric fields. A number of rules about the electric field are verified....
Series Parallel Circuits
Series/Parallel circuits are reduced to an equivalent resistance and that resistance is verified by measuring the total current and total voltage. Also,...
Kirchhoff's Circuit Laws
Verify the laws for a resistive circuit using a DC input and for a time varying RC circuit. The DC portion and the RC portion of the lab are each stand-alone...
Capacitance
Investigate how the capacitance of a parallel-plate capacitor varies when the plate separation is changed and to qualitatively see the effect of introducing...
Copyright Disclaimer: Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976 makes allowance for “fair use” for purposes of teaching, scholarship, education and research. Reproduction under any other circumstances, without the written consent of PASCO, is prohibited.