The bar of chocolate experiment is a bit dodgy, see school teachers blog, in particular these comments.
To measure the speed of light, you measure the distance between melting "hotspots" in a chocolate bar in a microwave oven. You then convert that to the speed of the microwaves (which is the same as the speed of light), given the equation: the speed of any wave is the frequency times the wavelength.
It is difficult to identify the hotspots in the microwave, and to accurately measure the distance between them.
Also it's pretty difficult to understand or explain what exactly the hotspots are in the oven, why the waves are not moving. You need to understand interference and standing waves.
A bit like "real" science.
« Light | Main | The Golden Chariot »
Friday, 28 September 2007
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Comments