Experiment Description

Experiment

Experiment C02    Polarization and Brewster's Angle

Objectives
  • Observe the polarization of light by absorption and reflection
  • Study the optical activity of sugar solution
  • Determine the refractive indices of water and glass from reflected polarized light
Description
In this activity, you will polarize light using the methods of absorption and reflection. You will also construct a polariometer.

In Experiment 1, you will use polaroids to polarize light. With more than one polariod you will be able to change the plane of polarization.

In Experiment 2, you will make use of reflection to polarize light. By careful measurement, it is possible to determine the Brewster's Angle for water.

In Experiment 3, you will again polarize light by reflection. Here, you will make use of the reflection of light by a glass block.

In Experiment 4, you will construct a polariometer. Satuarated sugar solution is used to change the plane of polarization of light passing through a polaroid.
Apparatus
polaroid sheet [3]
plastic tank (18 cm x 12 cm x 5 cm) [1]
ray box with horizontal filament [1]
12 V low voltage power supply [1]
laboratory jack [1]
straw [1]
glass block [1]
clip [1]
100 ml measuring cylinder [1]
black cloth (20 cm x 10 cm) [1]
beaker of saturated surcose solution [1]
translucent plate [1]
pendulum bob [1]
thread [2]
sticky tape [1]
stand-and-clamp [2]
protractor [1]
Experiment