Conduction, Convection, and Radiation

Heat Conduction of Metals

[M | t+ | —]
The ends of four metal rods are placed in boiling water; indicators at the other ends show markedly different heat conduction.

Convection Cell

[S/M | t+ | ★★★]
A temperature gradient is applied to a two-dimensional cell filled with rheoscopic fluid; beautiful convection currents are observed.

[In-Depth Description]

Convection Cell (Thymol Blue Cell)

[— | — | —]
See above for description. Demo needs rebuilding.

[In-Depth Description]

Black Body Radiation Lamp

[M | t | ★ ]
Tungsten filament lamp whose color is temperature dependant in accordance with Planck's radiation law.

[In-Depth Description]

Black Body Radiation Spectrum

[L | t+ | —]
Prism shows spectrum of 1 kW lantern projector operated with a Variac.

Black Body Radiation Oven

[L | t+ | ★★★]
Clay and iron objects within a kiln; all radiate with same color when at thermal equilibrium.

[In-Depth Description]

Purcell's Black Body Box

[M | t | ★★★]
Cardboard box black body; interior looks black despite being painted white.

[In-Depth Description]

Leslie's Cube

[M | t+ | —]
Cube filled with boiling water; faces have differing surface properties to show how radiation is dependent on surface.

Radiometer

[M | t+ | ★★]
Detection of IR radiation from hair dryer and/or special IR source.

[In-Depth Description]

Contact Us

Mailing Address: Lecture Demonstration Services, Science Center, Rm B-08A, 1 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
Campus Location: Science Center B-08A | Tel: (617) 495-5824 | Email: scidemos-at-fas.harvard.edu