| Optics
> Geometric Optics > Refraction |
DCS#
6A40.40 |
VARIABLE INDEX
OF
REFRACTION
-
APPARATUS
| plexiglass tank |
101-01-F |
| sugar |
202-02-A |
| cremora |
108A |
| laser |
202-21-B6 |
funnel
|
101-01-D
|
stirring
rod
|
101-01-E1
|
black
fabric for background
|
202-01-C
|
DESCRIPTION
- The tank contains sugar-water
whose
concentration
increases with depth. Shine a laser through the
tank. The
light
follows a curved path through the refractive index gradient.
- NOTES
To prepare sugar solution:
mix a tiny amount of Cremora into
200 ml water
pour 100 ml of solution into tank
mix 50 g of sugar into remaining
milky
water in beaker
pour through a funnel to bottom
of
tank
without disturbing top layer
use a stirring rod to disturb the
water-sugar
solution boundary slightly
REFERENCES
The
Physics Teacher, Nov 93, p. 476.