Physics window experiment,please comment

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a proposed physics demonstration involving the use of electricity to change the refractive index of a small model window using potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KDP) as a medium. Participants explore the feasibility of the experiment, materials needed, and potential issues related to the setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes using KDP between glass panels to alter the refractive index and distort light.
  • Another participant expresses concern about the availability and understanding of KDP, noting difficulty in finding relevant information.
  • There is a suggestion that a voltage regulator may be necessary, as standard car batteries are typically 12V, not 9V.
  • A later reply questions the necessity of high current and suggests using a pre-fabricated LCD display as an alternative demonstration.
  • The original poster clarifies a typo regarding KDP and acknowledges uncertainty about the voltage requirements.
  • One participant recommends using a variable power supply instead of a battery and advises on safety measures, such as using an isolation transformer.
  • The original poster expresses willingness to experiment with both KDP and an LCD display.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the best approach or the feasibility of the proposed experiment. Multiple competing views regarding the materials and methods remain present.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions about the properties of KDP as a magneto-optical versus electro-optical medium, and the implications of using different power sources are not fully explored.

Sam_0
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I have an idea for a physics demonstration, but i am unsure if it will work. Here it is.

Aim: To change the refractive index of a small model window using electricity.

Materials: 25g KPD (Kerr Medium) watered down and inserted between 2 glass panels.
Electrodes placed above and below panels powered by upto 9V Car battery

Diagram: See Website http://www.geocities.com/ctrl_alt_sam/HomePage.html?1148196883437

I hope to beable to change the refractive index which should distort the light through the 16x8cm Window
Please Tell me if you have spotted any problems or any suggestions that would make this experiment a success(As it is quite an expensive experiment, it would be ashame for it not to work)
Thanks For your Suggestions
 
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I'm afraid that I've never heard of KPD. The first 7 pages of Googling, in fact, turned up only one reference, which is an article that you have to pay for. There was one other possible hit, but it wasn't in English.
My main concern here is that you'll need a voltage regulator; there aren't any 9V car batteries. Standard is 12V (charged at 13.5), and you might be able to find an old 6V one kicking around since VW used them in their older models. Do you really need that much current, though?
If your proposal is all that expensive, could you not perhaps do your demonstration using a pre-fab LCD display?
 
Sorry, Please Don't hate me, It's a typo it's actually KDP (not kurdish democratic party) Potassium dihydrogenphosphate

I'm also unsure about the voltage I said car battery as it could supply a bit more energy
 
Believe me, buddy... nobody around here is ever going to hate you for a typo. Everybody makes them; it just has a bit more significance in an acronym. Anyhow, I got a lot more hits with the revised version. Unfortunately, I don't really have time to read through them, and probably wouldn't understand much about it anyway. The one that I looked at a bit (part of a Masters degree qualification) referred to KDP as a magneto-optical medium as opposed to an electro-optical one, but I don't know if it's important or not.
Still, all being said and done, I'd recommend using a variable power supply rather than a battery. If there's any possibility of accident, stick an isolation transformer into the circuit to keep house juice from coming into direct contact with the setup.
 
Thanks for your help, I guess there's no harm in trying both the KDP and the LCD, hopefully it will work
 
Good luck with it. Keep us posted.
 

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