Density Column, Need Polar/Nonpolar Examples

[tampora]

I'm trying to devise an experiment. If you've never seen a multi-layer density column, check out this link:

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/seven-layer-density-column

I would like to make a density column, similar to this one, with one notable exception. The order of the liquids are: polar, nonpolar, polar, nonpolar, polar, etc.

The purpose of it all is that I'll be shining a polarized HeNe laser down the center of the column. Meanwhile, I'll be rotating the planar polarization of the beam using a half-wave plate. At a specific viewpoint from the column, I hope to see changes in scattering intensity as I rotate the beam, but only for those liquids that are polar.

So far, this is what I am thinking:

Methanol - Polar (792 kg/m^3)
Gasoline - Nonpolar (803 kg/m^3)
?
Vegetable Oil - Nonpolar (920 kg/m^3)
Water - Polar (985 kg/m^3)
?
Honey - Polar (1420 kg/m^3)

I'd like to NOT use gasoline for the risk factor and I doubt my teacher would like the smell of the optics lab afterwords. Do you guys have any ideas for household liquids that would complete or make this column better? For example, the density of methanol and gasoline are so close together, making distinct layers might be difficult. But then again, since one is polar and one isn't, making distinct layers may be easy...

Any thoughts?

 

[Zefram]

Thank you for sharing your experiment idea with us. It sounds like a very interesting and unique approach to using a multi-layer density column. I have a few suggestions and thoughts that may help with your experiment.

Firstly, I would recommend looking into using different types of oils for your nonpolar layers. Vegetable oil may not have a high enough density to create distinct layers with the other liquids. You could try using mineral oil or even baby oil, which have higher densities and are also nonpolar. This would also eliminate the risk factor and strong smell associated with gasoline.

Secondly, you could consider using different types of polar liquids instead of just water and honey. For example, you could try using rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or vinegar, which have different densities and would create more distinct layers. Additionally, you could try using different colors of food coloring in each layer to make it easier to distinguish between them.

Another idea would be to add a layer of salt water in between the polar and nonpolar layers. This would create a more dramatic difference in density and could potentially enhance the scattering effect you are hoping to observe.

Lastly, I would recommend doing some trial runs with different combinations of liquids to see which ones create the most distinct and stable layers. As you mentioned, the density of the liquids is not the only factor that affects layer formation, so it will be important to find the right balance of polar and nonpolar liquids.

I hope these suggestions are helpful and I wish you success with your experiment. Please feel free to reach out with any further questions or updates on your progress.

Best of luck,