Measuring the Pressure of Photons
Poster Number
19
Format
Poster Presentation
Faculty Mentor Name
James Hetrick
Faculty Mentor Department
Physics
Abstract/Artist Statement
Photons are massless particles. However they do carry momentum. When they are absorbed or reflected by an object, their momentum changes, and thus they impart a force to the object with which they interact. Using a very sensitive pendulum, we are able to measure this force from the light of a laser. We pulse the laser at the resonant frequency of the pendulum and drive it into oscillation.
Location
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Start Date
20-4-2013 10:00 AM
End Date
20-4-2013 12:00 PM
Measuring the Pressure of Photons
DeRosa University Center, Ballroom
Photons are massless particles. However they do carry momentum. When they are absorbed or reflected by an object, their momentum changes, and thus they impart a force to the object with which they interact. Using a very sensitive pendulum, we are able to measure this force from the light of a laser. We pulse the laser at the resonant frequency of the pendulum and drive it into oscillation.