Effect of Light Bulbs, Distance, and Mirror Angles on the Intensity of Light

 This experiment was conducted in order to find which combination of low, standard, and high values of three independent variables; light bulb type, distance from the light source, and mirror angle, would most affect the dependant variable, intensity of the light source.  Low, standard, and high values were assigned to each of the three independent variables.  The low, standard, and high factor values, respectively, are fluorescent, incandescent, and halogen for light bulb type, 0.3 m, 0.4 m, and 0.5 m for distance, and 5°, 10°, and 15° for mirror angle.  A three-factor Design of Experiment (DOE) was used to analyze the effect of the three independent variables on the dependant variable.  Each combination was tested in a random order.  Three different light bulbs were attached to the Optical Physics Apparatus (OPA), and a light sensor that was connected to a LabQuest was used to measure the intensity.  After extensive testing and analyzing, it was found that a high light bulb (halogen), low distance from the light source (0.3 m), and a high mirror angle (15°) produced the greatest amount of intensity.

           

Research Done By:

Emily Horodko
Fraser High School

Amneet Kaur
Fraser High School

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