I did my experiment with three flashlights and my car headlights. I used a large dim flashlight, a medium lit flashlight, and a small bright LED flashlight. I expected if my previous conclusion, no beam unless the light hits an object, was incorrect I would notice it on the LED flashlight.
I tested the flashlights in my very dark garage and, like Sarah, outside in a subdivision. I tried testing them alone and with dust and smoke.
From all direction without dust or smoke I could not see a beam. I could only see the light on objects. There was the reflection of light on those objects that kept the garage or outside from being pitch black around and behind me.
With dust in the garage, I could see a few float by the direct beam of light from all the flashlights. When outside I used smoke. In all the experiments, the three flashlights and the car headlights, I could see a defined straight line beam when the smoke cross its path.
All of my experiments did prove the same, light can only be seen when hitting an object including dust and smoke then it may be reflected or absorbed.
4 responses to “Flashlight Experiment”
Brian Frank
September 11th, 2011 at 18:53
Hi Brooke,
Some cool results. When I read, “I could see a defined straight line beam when the smoke cross its path,” I think this statement helped me better understand what many groups were maybe trying to articulate on Wednesday. Several group’s wanted to stop calling it a beam. They wanted to instead call it a path or a “fuzzy” path. You seem to be saying, there’s a path of light, and when smoke crossed the path, it makes it look like a beam. Did I get that right?
I also noticed how you included a link to Sarah’s blog, because she did some similar experiments.
Brian
Brooke Taylor
September 11th, 2011 at 20:25
Yes, I think you understand what I am saying. It is a little harder to explain without drawings.
Sarah Parker
September 11th, 2011 at 19:34
You have really given me something to think about. I really did not think the “smoke” idea was correct but after my experiment I realize I must look in another direction. I still am not too sure that light can only be seen when hitting an object. I do think that there may be something to the smoke/object idea to be able to see a beam of light. Still thinking…thanks for sharing what you found.
Julie Chick
September 12th, 2011 at 02:47
I’m very excited about your experiment! From the few blogs I have read and after testing my own flashlights, it seems no one is having luck with the beam. I honestly kind of doubted the smoke until you proved it to be true. I did my experiements outside and inside and with three different strenghts of flashlights, but I was unable to see a beam. I’m glad you were able to find a way to see a beam! 🙂