Hiii,
I want to do a Physics paper for the BPhO Experimental Project on astronomy or something along those lines but I'm unsure of an experimental project I could carry out or a topic I should specifically cover . I don't know if anyone has any ideas as this would be really helpful :)
I was thinking of doing a project where I could track stars or something that I could do with a camera to tie in astrophotography or pictures as evidence. Though any suggestions would be of great help!
https://www.bpho.org.uk/bpho/experimental-project
Thanks, Ama
Does the experiment have to be an original one or can you try to replicate another project?
If your allowed to replicate the you could try measuring the speed of light, using rotating mirrors and aim for accuracy.
You could try to identify the gasses on the sun using absorption spectra from the sun and comparing it to know elements.
you could try to measure your exact latitude and longitude using traditional methods.
You could try to measure the exact length of a siderial day.
Just a few ideas.
I did my paper on the physics of CME's coronal mass ejections and how the energy is created, stored and released. Probably a bit beyond what they are looking for. ;)
Mac.
I note you need to use common household objects, which leaves a lot of scope; depending on whether your household happens to have an observatory or a nuclear test lab for instance.
How about creating a spectrograph from a CD or similar grating (which is all standard stuff) and calibrating it? And then perhaps using it to take the spectra of a star (if you have access to a scope), could it identify chemical elements??
First part easy, calibrating, not so easy - I was thinking that you could use a camera (for instance on a mobile phone) and image analysis (if you are able to use photo editing software down to pixel level). You'd need some maths.
If you got as far as taking an image of a spectrum through a scope (if you have access to one) things could get quite tricky, are you allowed to ask for advice - I suppose so, since you have done.
If you like the idea, take a look at:-
https://www.rspec-astro.com/star-analyser/
And see if it gives you any ideas. If your still game but don't happen to have a household star analyser maybe you could improvise:-
https://happyhooligans.ca/make-mosaic-tiles-from-a-dvd/
I can see the risk assessment getting quite lengthy at this point...
Noel