DIY homemade Crooke's radiometer?

  • Context: Misc. 
  • Thread starter Thread starter AdrianMachin
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Diy Homemade
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility and methods for constructing a DIY Crooke's radiometer at home. Participants share their experiences, ideas, and challenges related to building the device, including considerations for vacuum levels and materials.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire about the possibility of making a Crooke's radiometer at home and share their initial research findings.
  • One participant mentions a specific project involving a mason jar and a food saver jar-adapter to create a vacuum.
  • Another participant notes the importance of achieving good seals and a low vacuum, suggesting that smaller vessels may yield better results.
  • There is a discussion about the necessity of high vacuum levels for the radiometer to function properly, with some suggesting that a lower vacuum might suffice.
  • One participant expresses interest in measuring the pressure inside the vacuum vessel and discusses the concept of an optimal balance between friction and molecular density.
  • There are requests for updates on the progress of the DIY projects and results from the participants.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the challenges of creating a vacuum and the need for good seals, but there is no consensus on the exact vacuum level required for effective operation of the radiometer. Multiple competing views on the necessity of high vacuum remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions about vacuum levels and the effects of molecular density, but these points are not fully explored or quantified. There are references to potential leaks and the importance of the compression ratio in estimating vacuum pressure.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in DIY projects, experimental physics, and those curious about the principles behind Crooke's radiometer may find this discussion valuable.

AdrianMachin
Messages
40
Reaction score
2
Is there any way to make one at home?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
AdrianMachin said:
Is there any way to make one at home?
What have you found in your Google searching so far?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: AdrianMachin
berkeman said:
What have you found in your Google searching so far?
Found some cool projects, but was looking for a way to make it like those inside a light bulb.
 
Baken said:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BR3acncFNVK/ I'm building it in a mason jar and will pump the air out with a food saver jar-adapter.
Good luck with it. You will need to make some pretty good seals and getting the vacuum very low will take some ingenuity. The smaller that your vacuum vessel is, the lower vacuum you will achieve so don't use a large jar.
 
Cool. Also want to see the results. So, if you can, give us links or smth. :wink:
 
Baken said:
pump the air out with a food saver jar-adapter.
From that movie, it seems that a high vacuum is not necessary. which is interesting. A 'Proper' radiometer that works by photon momentum needs high vacuum (to avoid the effect of bouncing molecules in the cheap method).
I always find it amazing that it's possible for me to go through life making totally wrong assumptions of 'amounts' when such things are constantly on my (in particular) mind. I must try to make one as well and see just how little vacuum is needed. There will be an optimum compromise between friction and density of fast molecules, I guess. Have you managed to measure the pressure in there? An 'optimistic' estimate can be made, using the 'compression ratio' of the system - pump volume vs vessel volume which ignores leaks etc.
 
To OP, how's the result of your project? I just realized this post is 2 years old.
 

Similar threads

Misc. I want to know the material used to make this turbine
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Misc. What projects can i do with a Raspberry 500 with little effort?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
910
Electrical Homemade, easy, DIY, wireless, IoT and Bluetooth?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
Misc. DIY Faux Cooked Rice (yes, really)
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Misc. Unsuitable Materials for DIY Coronavirus Masks
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
Optical DIY Privacy Shades: Make Your Own IR-Blocking Sunglasses
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Wood/Glass/Metal Anyone here DIY a standing desk?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Misc. DIY Project Ideas for Beginners - Elementary Education Focus
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
Misc. What emissivity should I use for LED strips?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Wood/Glass/Metal Rigging a gliding gymnast ring ceiling track
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K