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4D10.13 - Brownian Motion Real Time

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​4D10.13 - Brownian Motion Real Time

Preview
SelectSelected
Title4D10.13 - Brownian Motion Real Time
Objective

View Brownian motion with a microscope real time.​

StatusAvailable
Assembly Instructions

Instructions
Software is loaded on Alice. Connect the microscope camera to the computer (via USB). Open the software (Micrometrics on the desktop) and use “Toggle Preview” to launch the camera. This will be the real time image that is projected to the class. Note: if the “toggle preview” button is not available, you may need to install the camera on the computer with the hardware wizard and restart the microscope software.

Prepare the microscope to image the microspheres on the slide. Plug it in and rotate the microscope objective to the 100X setting. Set the rotating stage for 100%. Turn the light up to a bright setting, and then roughly adjust the illuminator lens so that the slide is illuminated.

Prepare the slide. Use a well slide, cellophane tape with a hole in it is ideal for the solution we use. Shake the microsphere fluid vigorously. Use an eyedropper and place a tiny amount in the slide’s well so that it won’t overflow. Cover the well with a cover slide, and place a small drop of coupling fluid (immersion oil) on the cover slide. Center the microspheres under the objective, and then bring down the 100x objective into the oil until the two are coupled. Do not bring the lens into contact with the slide; however, it will be very close to the slide when it is finally in focus.

Focus the microscope on the spheres. You can use the video on the computer as your guide since this will be where the final image displays. First adjust the objective lens until the spheres are in focus (again, the lens and slide will be nearly in contact, but not quite). Second, adjust the brightness (with the light and the illuminator lens) until you have a desirable image.
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Setup Time20
Operation Time2
Preview Time5
Operation Instructions

Instructions
Operation is very simple; you only have to project the image from the computer screen onto the monitor. What you are seeing is water that contains many plastic, microspheres (~2micrometers in diameter). Not only will you see 2D Brownian motion, you can also observe spheres moving up and down (becoming larger and smaller).

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ExportableNo
Demo on DimeNo
PIRA 200Yes
Export Instructions (if different)
HazardsNone
Analysis/Information
Category4 Thermodynamics
Subcategory4D - Kinetic Theory
Keywordsbrownian motion
Construction Information
 
Equipment TitleUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
QuantityUse SHIFT+ENTER to open the menu (new window).
  
laptop computer - Micrometrics
1
microscope
1
microscope camera - USB
1
microscope slide
1
microscope slide - thin well
1
microscope cover slide
1
cover slide immersion oil
candle wax