written by Douglas Brown

This experiment uses the Tracker video analysis and modeling tool to explore the phenomenon of fluorescence and its application in fluorescent lamps. For each of five different visible spectra, students (a) observe the spectrum directly, (b) measure its brightness versus wavelength in Tracker, and (c) answer both qualitative and quantitative questions about it. The spectra include a fluorescent dye with laser and UV illumination, a mercury lamp and two fluorescent lamps, all with red and green laser spots added for easy calibration. For more information, see the AAPT presentation.

The zip file includes the lab instructions, spectrum images and Tracker data files.

This requires Tracker version 4.62 or higher. Tracker installers are available for Windows, Mac and Linux from ComPADRE or the Tracker web site (http://www.cabrillo.edu/~dbrown/tracker/).

• Download fluorescence.zip - 147kb Tracker Document Set

Last Modified June 5, 2012

This file has previous versions.

A description of the Tracker video analysis fluorescence experiment.

• Download fluorescence.pdf - 62kb Adobe PDF Document

Last Modified January 19, 2012