The process of dropping a drop into a vessel with water or onto another surface is quick. But how interesting it would be to slow it down in order to slowly see or even photograph the individual phases of this process. Modern technology makes it possible to do this.
It is necessary
- parts and tools for making a stroboscope:
- - power supply unit for 9 V, 200 mA;
- - soldering iron, solder and neutral flux;
- - yellow or orange office marker;
- - flat vessel;
- - drill;
- - a tube;
- - glue.
Instructions
Step 1
A conventional flash unit is not suitable for photographing a falling drop. This is due to the fact that with each actuation it emits only one pulse of light, and it is synchronized with the moment the camera shutter opens, and not at all with the moment the drop falls. A source is required that creates periodically falling drops, and a special device - a stroboscope.
Step 2
There are a significant number of designs of such devices, and almost any of them will be suitable for visual stopping of falling drops. The main thing is that the duration of the pulses is much shorter than the duration of the pauses between them, otherwise the drops will look blurry - but almost all stroboscopes meet this requirement. However, the best results will, of course, be obtained with a stroboscope specially designed for observing and photographing falling drops.
Step 3
A description of one of these stroboscopes is given at the link located at the end of the article. This is a very simple device. A qualified DIYer will assemble it in just twenty minutes.
Step 4
To obtain falling drops, drill a hole in the side wall of the flat vessel near its bottom. Attach a short tube to it, then glue it. When the glue is dry, fill the container with water and make sure that the water from the tube does not pour out in a continuous stream, but in drops.
Step 5
Turn off the light and turn on the strobe. Turn the frequency control to achieve a visual stop of the drops (full or partial, at which it seems that the drops are slowly moving down or even up). Now you can take up your camera or camcorder. You will have to shoot without a flash.
Step 6
An interesting effect of glowing drops will be obtained if you put the filler from a yellow or orange office marker into the vessel, and put the blue LED in the strobe.
Step 7
Experiment by aiming drops at different surfaces. Particularly interesting effects arise, as mentioned above, when a drop enters a vessel with water. In this case, bursts are formed that resemble crowns.
