- Sections
- A. General Materials & Mathematics
- B. Statics
- C. Kinematics & Dynamics
- D. Rotational Mechanics
- E. Gravitation & Astronomy
- F. Fluid Mechanics
- G. Vibrations & Mechanical Waves
- H. Sound
- I. Thermodynamics
- J. Electrostatics & Magnetostatics
- K. Electromagnetic Principles
- L. Geometrical Optics
- M. Wave Optics
- N. Spectra & Color
- O. Vision
- P. Modern Physics
M8-01. Polaroids And Karo Syrup
Purpose
Beautiful and simple demonstration of optical activity.
Equipment
Goose neck lamp with 100 watt bulb, rotating polaroids on base, bottle of Karo syrup with label removed.
Images
Description
Place a glass bottle of Karo syrup between two crossed polaroids lighted from behind, then rotate one of the polaroids. The second polarizing sheet removes a small band around one wavelength of light, to produce beautiful negative colors. This is a breathtaking experiment for those seeing it the first time. A must with this topic. See the Feynman Lectures text for a nice explanation.
References
W. P. Healy and E. A. Power, Dispersion Relations for Optically Active Media, AJP 42, 1070-1074 (1974). R. M. Peterson, Comparison of two theories of optical activity, AJP 43, 969-972 (1975).
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See pagesm2. diffraction circular
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See pagesm3. interferometers
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See pagesm4. thin film interference
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See pagesm6. holograms
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See pagesm7. polarization & scattering
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See pagesm8. optical activity & birefringence
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See pagesm9. elliptical polarization
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See pagesm2. diffraction circular
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See pagesm3. interferometers
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See pagesm4. thin film interference
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See pagesm6. holograms
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See pagesm7. polarization & scattering
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See pagesm8. optical activity & birefringence
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See pagesm9. elliptical polarization