Experiment : Measuring the Speed of Light

Topics covered:
- Refractive index
- Wavelength, Frequency
- Phase, Phase shift
- Modulation of light intensity

Principles and objectives:
Light intensity is modulated and the phase relationship between the transmitter signal and the receiver signal is compared. The speed of light is calculated from the relationship between phase changes and the path of light.
This method is used to determine the speed of light in air, water, and synthetic resin. The results are then used to calculate the refractive indices of the different media.

Composition:

- Speed of light measurement device
- Retro-reflector with rod
- Power supply 12V/2A
- Sliding support for optical bench
- Optical bench, length = 180 cm
- Support for speed of light measurement instrument
- Acrylic glass cylinder with support
- Tubular cell with support
- USB data cable / Shielded BNC cable
- Digital oscilloscope, minimum 2 channels - 20MHz