Modern Physics Area

UV light from a mercury lamp discharges a negatively charged zinc plate but not a positively charged one, demonstrating the photoelectric effect. Students see that only photons above the threshold …

Demonstrates photovoltaic energy conversion using a solar cell to power a toy oil rig from a lamp. Students observe the conversion chain from light to electrical to mechanical energy. The …

Demonstrates frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) as a classical analog to quantum tunneling. Tightening a clamp reduces the air gap between two prisms until evanescent waves couple across, allowing laser …

Uses a fiber-optic USB spectrometer to display real-time emission spectra of LED and UV light sources. Students see how different sources produce distinct spectral signatures and can measure wavelengths directly.

Compares the spectra of three "white" light sources through diffraction gratings. Students see that incandescent light produces a continuous blackbody spectrum, the CFL shows discrete mercury emission lines, and the …

Students view discrete emission line spectra from multiple gas discharge tubes using handheld diffraction gratings. Provides direct visual evidence for quantized energy levels and element-specific spectral fingerprints.

Measures the beta decay of Pa-234m (half-life 1.17 minutes) in real time using a Geiger-Mueller tube. Students observe exponential decay directly by plotting count rate vs. time and extracting the …

Demonstrates that repeated measurements of radioactive decay counts follow a Gaussian distribution, illustrating that individual quantum events are random but ensemble behavior is statistically predictable. Shows the Poisson-to-Gaussian transition and …

Models runaway nuclear fission using mousetraps as uranium atoms and corks as neutrons. Dropping a single cork into the array triggers an exponential chain reaction, illustrating critical mass and neutron …

Physical meter sticks cut to the Lorentz-contracted lengths at 0.63c, 0.79c, and 0.93c make length contraction tangible. Students see how produces increasingly dramatic contraction as.