Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi I'm new to science research and i'm thinking of doing an experiment on tracking gas movement with laser but I'm not sure if it's even possible. Please, I would like some help! Thank you very much!

Hi,

Yes you can use a laser to track movement of gases. One such technique is called LIDAR, and has been used to track winds, clouds, plume of polution from smoke releases, etc. Some places to start researching are:

http://www.lidar.com/

http://www.e-geomatics.gr/LiDAR.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LIDAR

This is a really fascinating field of study. Have fun investigating it!

Best regards,

Barrett Tomlinson

Thank you very much for your help, I greatly appreciate it.

Hi I'm in a little need for help again. My current idea is to test LIDAR effeciency in different mediums such as underwater, in the fog, or through glass, but I'm not sure if something like this is acceptable. Please help. Thank you very much

Hi,
That sounds like a very interesting topic for a science fair project. Can you tell us a little more about what you would plan to do? Do you have a hypothesis or an experimental design yet? LIDAR equipment can be very expensive. Have you figured out a way that you could purchase or borrow equipment, build your own, or to use existing data? Have you thought about the possibility of working with a university mentor who uses this equipment? These are some of the questions you will want to address as you move forward.
Chris