If you take a laser pointer and put a magnifying glass in front of the laser, is it possible to amplify the laser to the point in which it can burn something?
2007-12-30 13:10:12 · 4 answers · asked by Ethereal 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
Common household laser pointer? No. Not enough energy.
2007-12-30 13:19:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In theory yes. In practice, almost certainly not. If you were to clamp the laser pointer to a moveable bench where you could shift it tiny fractions of an inch and aim it through the lens into a hole (say in cotton) that provided flamable material and insulation and protection from moving air, it might be possible to shift it to a fine point that would put enough energy into the spot to start a tiny burn. Certainly not while hand held.
2007-12-30 22:25:36 · answer #2 · answered by Mike1942f 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some lasers have enough energy to do this on their own, and some lasers can be focused by an external lens to do this, but most lasers available to the average consumer are not powerful enough to do this.
2007-12-30 22:26:36 · answer #3 · answered by minuteblue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, that won't work. But using your magnifying glass to focus the sun certainly will. Try that instead.
2007-12-30 21:32:14 · answer #4 · answered by Steve H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋