Optics > Polarization > Circular Polarization

DCS# 6H30.40

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OPTICAL ACTIVITY DISPLAY

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APPARATUS

round bottom flask	101-02-D6
corn syrup	IGA
6 V motor	101-02-D6
rotating polarizer	101-02-D6
second polarizer	101-08-D1
power supply	202-08-D
lamp with reflector	101-16-C
front-surface mirror	101-06-E2

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DESCRIPTION

The flask contains corn syrup.  The light from the lamp passes through a polarizing filter under the flask.  The sugar solution in the flask rotates the plane of polarization of the light through different angles, depending on the wavelength.  The second polaroid filters out one plane of polarization of light.  As that polaroid rotates, the observed color changes.

NOTES

This is the display case version.  See optical activity for the lecture demonstration using the overhead projector.