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Tracking Brownian motion through video microscopy
written by Asma Khalid and Muhammad Sabieh Anwar
published by the LUMS School of Science and Engineering
Brownian motion is the random motion of colloidal particles suspended in water, air or any other solvent. In 1905, Einstein argued that this motion is a direct evidence for the atomic nature of matter. Einstein's and Perrin's efforts helped raise the status of atoms from useful hypothetical objects to objects whose existence could no longer be denied.

In this experiment, we will,

1. observe Brownian motion of microparticles,
2. calibrate a compound microscope,
3. use the microscope's built-in camera to record Brownian motion,
4. learn how to extract images and frames from a movie using MATLAB,
5. use some basic and simple commands for image processing,
6. locate and track microparticulate motion,
7. plot Brownian motion in 2-D,
8. observe how the mean square displacement of particles helps calculate Boltzmann's and Avogadro's constants.
Subjects Lab Level Resource Types
Fluid Mechanics
- Dynamics of Fluids
= Viscosity
Modern Physics
- General
Optics
- Geometrical Optics
= Optical Instruments
Thermo & Stat Mech
- Kinetic and Diffusive Processes
= Brownian Motion
- Intermediate Undergraduate
- Advanced Undergraduate
- Instructional Material
= Instructor Guide/Manual
= Laboratory
= Student Guide
Material Category Formats Ratings
- Lab Manual
- application/pdf
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Safety Warnings
Advanced Labs Terms of Use Disclaimer Minimal Danger   No Safety Equipment Necessary  


Format:
application/pdf
Access Rights:
Free access
Restriction:
© 2010 LUMS School of Science and Engineering, Pakistan
Keywords:
Boltzmann constant, Brownian motion, Colloidal particles, Image processing, Kinetic theory, Viscosity
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created February 17, 2012 by Muhammad Sabieh Anwar
Record Updated:
June 3, 2012 by Lyle Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
August 23, 2010
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