-
Cut the wires so that they are
approximately 5 inches long. Leave the clamps on the ends!!
-
Make certain the solar cell fits
within the 3 inch diameter of the mail tube cap. If not, then cut the
solar cell to that it fits.
-
Solder the positive wire (red) on one
side of the solar cell and the negative wire on the other side.
-
Cover the inside of the mail tube cap
with black poster board, and then tape the solar cell to the cap. Make
certain that the positive wire is on the back!!
-
-
Cover the inside of the other cap with
black poster board as well.
-
-
Then, cut a circular hole in the cap.
Why do you think it is important for the hole to be circular?
-
Cut the lens from the 3-D glasses (or
movie polarizer glasses) and tape it on the outside of the mail tube cap so
that it covers the circular hole.
-
-
Cut a foot long piece of mail tubing.
Then cut the piece in half.
-
Along the cut, place marks from 0 to
180 degrees. Using your protractor, find the measurements on a piece
of paper and then transfer them onto the mail tube.
-
Cut black poster board so that it fits
on the inside of all of the tubing (the entire foot). The black poster
board is used so that the light is not reflected within the polarimeter.
How much poster board do you need to cut? Use your math skills!!
(Hint: What is the relationship between the circumference and the diameter?)
-
-
Don't make the poster board fit too
tight because you have to be able to twist the mail tubing in order to take
readings!!
-
Stabilize your polarimeter to the
camera stand using rubber bands.
-
-
Attach the wire clamps to the digital
multimeter (positive to positive and negative to negative) and you are ready
to take measurements!!!
