PASCO OS-8500 INTRODUCTORY OPTICS SYSTEM - Manual (Page 11)

012-02744K Introductory Optics System
®
5
Basic Ray Optics Setup
The basic setup for Ray Optics is shown in Figure 10.
The Ray Table Base should be flush against the alignment
rail. The Ray Table fits over the pin on the top of the
Base.
Notice that the Ray Table Base is slightly slanted. When
mounting the base on the Optics Bench, be sure the Ray
Table slants down toward the Light Source. This ensures
sharp, bright rays. (In all the experiments described in this
manual, the error introduced by this tilt is negligible.)
Either side of the Ray Table may be used. One side has
a rotational scale, the other has both a rotational scale and
a grid that may be used for linear measurements.
The Slit Plate is attached to a component holder between
the Light Source and the Ray Table. The positioning
shown in the illustration will give clear, sharp rays in a
slightly darkened room. However, the quality of the rays
is easily varied by adjusting the distance between the
Light Source and the Slit Plate. Narrower, less divergent
rays may be obtained by sliding the Light Source farther
away from the slits, but there is a corresponding loss of
brightness.
The Ray Table Component Holder attaches magnetically
to the Ray Table as shown. It may be used to mount the
Viewing Screen, the Polarizer, or another component.
Single Ray Setup
Most quantitative ray optics experiments are most easily
performed using a single ray. This can be obtained by
using the Slit Mask, as shown in Figure 11, to block all but
the desired ray.
For accurate measurements using the rotational scale, the
incident ray must pass directly through the center of the
Ray Table. To accomplish this, alternately adjust:
➀ the lateral position of the Slit Plate on its Component
Holder,
➁ the position of the light source filament with respect to
the optical axis, and
➂ the rotation of the Ray Table.
When one of the rays is aligned in this manner, place the
Slit Mask on the other side of the Component Holder to
block all but the desired ray.
Parallel Ray Setup
Parallel rays are obtained by positioning the Parallel Ray
Lens between the Light Source and the slits, as shown in
Figure 12. Use the parallel lines of the Ray Table grid as
a reference, and adjust the longitudinal position of the lens
until the rays are parallel.
Figure 11: Single Ray Setup
2. Adjust the position
of the filament.
3. Adjust the
rotation angle
of the Ray
Table.
1. Adjust the lateral
position of the Slit
Plate.
4. Use the Slit
Mask to block
all but the
desired ray.
To align a single ray:
Figure 12: Single Ray Setup
Parallel Ray Lens
Slit Plate
Component Holder
Ray Table and Base
Slit Plate
Viewing
Screen
Ray Table
Component Holder
Figure 10: Basic Ray Optics Setup