Object Details
- Description
- Richard P. Baker, a mathematician at the University of Iowa, made a series of models relating to the relative intensity of polarized light transmitted by an isotropic medium. In all of them, the ratio of the magnitude of two electromagnetic vectors is plotted extending vertically, as a function of the index of refraction of the medium and the angle of incidence of the light. In Baker’s scheme, the vectors Ds, Es, and Rs lie in the surface between the two media, while the vectors Dp, Ep, and Rp lie in the plane of polarization. This particular model plots values of the ratio of intensities Rp / Ep, a function equal to – sin (θ - φ) / sin (θ + φ). Here θ is the angle of incidence of the light and φ is the angle of refraction.
- The model has a wooden base and sides, with a plaster top. A typed paper tag attached to the base reads: No. 375 (/) 10 Freshnel [sic] surfaces.
- Baker associated this model with work of Fresnel.
- References:
- Accession File.
- R. P. Baker, Mathematical Models, Iowa City, Iowa, 1931, p. 18.
- Paul Drude, with C. Riborg Mann and Robert A. Millikan, translators, Theory of Optics, New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1902, esp. pp. 279-280.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
- maker
- Baker, Richard P.
- date made
- ca 1906-1935
- Credit Line
- Gift of Frances E. Baker
- Physical Description
- plaster (overall material)
- wood (overall material)
- blue (overall color)
- black (overall color)
- white (overall color)
- plaster cast,bolted to base. (overall production method/technique)
- Measurements
- average spatial: 5.9 cm x 15 cm x 15.1 cm; 2 5/16 in x 5 29/32 in x 5 15/16 in
- Object Name
- geometric model
