Brownian Motion Smoke Cell
Brief Description
Find out what the random motion of particles when referring to an ideal gas actually means by viewing golden particles through a microscope.
Recommended Prerequisites:
How It Works
The Brownian motion smoke cell works by suspending tiny smoke particles in air inside a small, sealed plastic chamber, where they are subjected to constant, random collisions with much smaller air molecules. These collisions cause the smoke particles to undergo Brownian motion which is then observed under a microscope where the smoke particles are illuminated by a concentrated light source, and appear as moving golden dots.
Apparatus Needed
- Computer Device
- Access to a 3D printer
- Soldering Iron
- 2x Female Banana jacks
- Small cylindrical bulb
- 2x Hooks/Washers
- Wires
- Cylindrical lens
- Plastic tube
- Access to a microscope
- Cotton
- Matchbox
- Coverslip
Step by Step Tutorial
- Use this 3D model as a basis for your Brownian Motion Smoke Cell (Download 3D Model ). Edit the 3D model to ensure it fits under your microscope
- Print the 3D model
- Attach the banana jacks on the side
- Sand the plastic tube down such that it barely sits flush with lid
- Solder the hooks/washers to the ends of the wires.
- Hook wires to banana jack ends and to bulb
- Place lens between bulb and cylindrical tube
- Use cotton to make some smoke and push into the cylindrical tube
- Cover hole with coverslip and observe under microscope
Images and Videos
