Foucault Speed of Light Experiment

Thread starter S_Flaherty
Start date Feb 5, 2012
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Experiment Foucault Light Speed Speed of light

AI Thread Summary

In the Foucault speed of light experiment, a beam splitter directs light, creating two paths, but only one beam spot is visible in the microscope due to the design of the setup. This occurs because the light returning from the rotating mirror is reflected back through the beam splitter, resulting in a single spot rather than two distinct ones. The experiment's goal is to measure the time it takes for light to travel a known distance, which is effectively achieved with this configuration. Understanding this aspect of the setup clarifies the observation of a single beam spot. The design is intentional and crucial for the experiment's accuracy.

Feb 5, 2012

S_Flaherty

In my class's set up of Foucault's design of the experiment to measure the speed of light, the light beam passes through a beam splitter but there is only one beam spot in the microscope. I'm confused as to why this is. Can someone help explain it to me?

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Feb 5, 2012

Spinnor

Gold Member

Isn't that what you want? See figure 1,

http://www.phys.ksu.edu/personal/rprice/SpeedofLight.pdf

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