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Light Beam
Science Video
Video recorded in 2007.

This video should be used with the following article: Light Beam (Link below)

Sun light or torch is reflected off a flexible shiny surface fixed to the end of a plastic tube.  When one speaks into the tubes sound vibrations pass down the tube and make the surface vibrate.  The reflected light is therefore sent off from the surface in a continuously changing set of angles depending on the loudness and frequencies of the voice.  The light is said to have become modulated by the sound - we have put our voice on a sunbeam!  Getting the sound back (demodulation of the light beam) is also very simple.  A solar cell is attached to a speaker amplifier.  As the light intensity is changing with the voice so the signal from the solar cell changes.  When amplified and sent to a speaker (a device that turns voltage into sound) one hears the original voice again!

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This video is available in the following formats:
Flash Video Real Video



 

Links To Other Information:

Light Beam Article
Article to be used with this film

The Creative Science Centre
Visit the virtual science centre packed full of things to make and do!
 

Jonathan Hare with Light Beam



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