Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations | Schlieren Optics @NatSciDemos | Uploaded January 2014 | Updated October 2024, 3 hours ago.
Demonstration of an optical technique that allows us to see small changes in the index of refraction in air. A point source of light is reflected from a concave mirror and focused onto the edge of a razor blade, which is mounted in front of the camera. Light refracted near the mirror and intercepted by the blade gives the illusion of a shadow.

Seen here are the heated gases from a candle flame and a hair dryer, helium gas, and sulfur hexafluoride gas.

For more information on our setup please see
http://sciencedemonstrations.fas.harvard.edu/presentations/schlieren-optics

Note that this version of the setup uses a white LED flashlight instead of an automotive light bulb.

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