Microwaves as an Energy Source: Lighting Up an LED with a LECTENNA

o3-mini-high In this experiment, it is investigated whether a simple arrangement consisting of an LED and a germanium diode in a microwave can absorb energy from high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and convert it into light. In doing so, a so-called LECTENNA (Light Emitting Rectenna) is …

Thermal Insulation of IKEA Metallisk

I designed a two-part shell for the IKEA “Metallisk” kettle and then manufactured it from ASA. The 3D-printed parts have a wall thickness of 3 mm to ensure both sufficient mechanical stability and adequate resistance to the high temperatures encountered when heating water. ASA was chosen for its higher …

Determination of the Energetic Efficiency of an Insulated Water Kettle Compared to a Non-Insulated Kettle

In this experiment, the thermal efficiency of a conventional kettle using an insulation hood developed and 3D-printed by me with a 20 mm Armaflex insulation is investigated. First, water is heated from room temperature (16 °C) to boiling (100 °C), then allowed to cool over defined time intervals. The temperature profiles and the theoretical energy demand required to …

Investigation of Sound Propagation of a Mechanical Egg Timer under Normal Pressure and in a Vacuum

This experiment examines how the sound propagation of a mechanical egg timer behaves under normal pressure compared to an evacuated desiccator. The egg timer is triggered in both environments, and the perceived loudness as well as possible sound alterations are analyzed. This investigation provides insights into the acoustic properties of gases and their significance for …

The influence of a vacuum on the volume of a balloon

In this experiment, the influence of the ambient pressure on the volume of a balloon is investigated. A slightly inflated balloon is placed in a desiccator and the external pressure is reduced by evacuating the container with a vacuum pump. This causes the balloon to visibly expand. When the air flows back in, the balloon …

Determining the Speed of Light Using a Chocolate bar

The speed of light is a fundamental natural constant that can be measured with high accuracy. In this experiment, a microwave oven, a Chocolate bar and butter are used to visualize standing waves and calculate the speed of light. By …

The Electroscope – Detecting Charge with a Simple Setup

An electroscope is a simple instrument used to detect electrostatic charge. It is based on the principle that like charges repel each other. In this experiment, an electroscope is built using a jam jar, a copper wire, and aluminum foil. Frictional electricity4[generation …

The Catalytic Effect of Ash on the Combustion of Sugar

This experiment investigates the catalytic effect of ash on the combustion of sugar. Initially, an attempt was made to ignite a sugar cube with a lighter, which was unsuccessful. Likewise, ash alone could not be ignited. However, after sprinkling ash onto the sugar cube, the mixture burned with a blue flame. This indicates that certain …

Experiment on the Thermal Expansion of Gases Using a Glass Bottle with a sealing Coin

This experiment visually demonstrates the thermal expansion of gases. A glass bottle is first placed in a cold environment, causing the air inside to cool down. The bottle is then brought into a warmer room and heated with hands. A wet coin placed on the bottle’s opening starts to rattle due to the temperature increase. …