Lecture Demonstrations Laboratory

The Demonstrations Manual

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Geometrical Optics
Diffraction
Interference
Color
Polarization: Polarization of Light; Polarization by Reflection; Brewster's angle; Optical Activity in Corn Syrup; Birefringence; Polarization by Scattering
The Eye

To demonstrate various polarization phenomena.

A wide variety of polarization phenomena are available and can be projected on a screen with the overhead projector. The following are suggested:

Variation of intensity of linearly and circularly polarized light while the analyzer is rotated. Or simply demonstrate that no light passes through two perpendicularly oriented polarizers. By placing a third polarizer at 45degree angle in between some light passes through however.
Colorful images as birefringent materials such as cellophane tape (cigarette wrapper) or mica can be obtained by placing them between two polarizers and rotating the analyzer. The rotating analyzer can be attached to the lens strut of the projector and the object focused on the screen.
Photoelasticity can be demonstrated with plastic protractors and rulers etc. placed between two polarizers.
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Equipment:
- Cigarette Wrapper
- Polaroid sheets
- Polaroid Rotator
- Photoelastic Pieces
- Mica
- 1/4 wave plates
- Overhead Projector