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Bunsen photometer

Physics

Painted black rectangular box with open sides. The top of the box is pyramid-shaped, and detachable. The top of the pyramid narrows to a cylindrical tube that ends in an eye piece. A metal rod, so the instrument can be attached to a stand, protrudes perpendicularly from one of the closed sides of the box.

Visible in the open sides of of the box are mirrors arranged at angles to direct light into the closed portion.

Accession Number: 2009.ph.149

Alternative Name: Grease Spot Photometer

Primary Materials: Metal: Iron Alloy, Glass

Markings:

Dimensions (cm): Height = 13, Width = 21.5, Length = 27

Function:

This instrument is used to visually compare the luminosity of two light sources. By looking through the eyepiece the user can see, by means of the mirrors, the paper containing a grease spot from opposite sides. Placing a light source on one side of the instrument illuminates the paper and its grease spot. By placing the photometer between two light sources and comparing the relative brightness of the grease spots, the viewer can judge the relative luminosity of the two sources.

Condition:

Good: The exterior of the instrument is painted; the paint is mostly intact, with a small number of marks and scratches. This Instrument is missing its grease-spot paper, and so is non-functional.

Associated Instruments: 2011.ph.466, 2011.ph.467

Manufacturer:

Date of Manufacture: 20th Century

Provenance:

Acquired from Physics Department, University of Toronto.

Additional Information and References:

<a href=”http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fettfleck-Photometer”> Fettfleck-Photometer (Wikipedia entry, German only)</a>

Historical Notes:

Themes: