Fundamentals of Light and Lasers: Finding the Speed of Red Light in Optical Grade Plastic

This lab activity, presented by John Chamberlain, covers the process of calculating the speed of a red laser light using optical grade plastics. In the 15-minute video, Chamberlain demonstrates the use of using a ruler, protractor, laser level, and pencil to set up angles of incidence and exit of light as it passes through the block of plastic, the measurement of a series of resulting angles and normals, and the mathematical formulas and calculations necessary to determine the speed from this available information. This lab, 1-1A, is the first in a series of 20 available on the Fundamentals of Light and Lasers. 

These videos were created as a supplement to the Fundamentals of Light and Lasers curriculum available through OP-TEC, but can be used independently to guide lab activities related to this topic.