Thermal Camera

Make sure to add a note of which experiment you want when requesting!! Different experiments require different set-ups.

Photos Show the demonstration Used at U.T. Austin

Safety:

Handle the hot water for Experiment 1 and Experiment 4 with care!
When using the heat absorption and radiation demo, be careful to not touch the plates after unplugging the light. The plates will be hot!!!
The edges of the aluminum plate may be a bit sharp, so be mindful.

Experiment 1: Hot water in a coffee mug

Instructions:

Hold an empty coffee mug in front of the thermal camera.
Fill the mug with hot water.
You will see the darkly colored coffee mug begin to change to a lighter color as the thermal energy of the hot water radiates into the mug. The color spreads from the bottom of the cup towards the top.
This demonstrates thermal radiation.

Experiment 2: Reflection of IR radiation from an aluminum plate

Instructions:

Aluminum does not absorb, but instead reflects most infrared energy.
By holding an aluminum plate in front of the thermal camera and tilting it towards yourself, you can see the reflection of your own IR heat onto the plate.

Experiment 3: Transfer of heat onto plexiglass

Instructions:

Most wavelengths of IR energy are blocked by glass because their energy is absorbed.
Position the thermal camera on a person to view their IR energy output. Move a sheet of plexiglass in front of them and show that the IR energy is blocked by the glass.
To go further, place your hand on the front of the glass for a few seconds before removing it. An IR handprint should be visible on the front of the glass seen from the thermal camera, while the IR energy of the person behind the glass remains blocked.

Experiment 4: Mixing hot water and ice cubes

Instructions:

Pour hot water into a pot or coffee mug and observe the water through the infrared camera.
Drop a few ice cubes into the water.
This demonstrates heat transfer and fluid mechanics. The infrared camera allows us to see the heat exchange between the hot water and cold ice cubes as they melt until the system eventually reaches equilibrium.

Experiment 5: Heating a nail:

Instructions:

Lay a nail on its side.
Place your hand on the end of the nail by its head, and hammer the other end of the nail repeatedly.
After hammering a few times, the nail should show heat on the thermal camera. Heat will be centralized around where the nail is in contact with the wooden block, as force is driving the nail down into it.
This demonstrates the transfer of kinetic energy into heat energy on the nail.

Concept Conveyed:

Other Demos that Pair with Thermal Camera

Heat Absorption and Radiation Demo:

When the bulb is turned on, you compare the thermometer temperatures to show that the black plate absorbs more radiation.
This conclusion is further supported by viewing the two plates through the thermal camera. At room temperature, the two plates appear dark. As the lightbulb is turned on, the black plate becomes increasingly brighter and more yellow as seen through the thermal camera. This proves that the black plate absorbs more as seen visually through its increase in thermal radiation.

Last updated on July 24, 2024