Laser to determine effect of sucrose concentration on refractive index

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on conducting an experiment to determine the effect of sucrose concentration on the refractive index using a laser pointer. The participant aims to establish a mathematical relationship between sucrose concentration and refractive index, while also considering the application of Snell's Law. Suggestions include investigating the optical activity of sucrose and measuring the rotation of polarization as a more effective method than measuring refraction angles. The participant seeks to explore additional independent variables to complicate the experiment further.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law in optics
  • Knowledge of optical activity and polarization
  • Familiarity with refractive index concepts
  • Basic experimental design principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods for measuring optical activity in solutions
  • Explore the relationship between concentration and refractive index in sucrose solutions
  • Learn about advanced techniques for measuring polarization rotation
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on refractive index and optical activity
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in the fields of chemistry and physics, particularly those interested in optical properties of solutions and experimental design in optics.

barca12345
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Hi!

I want to conduct an experiment to investigate the effect of sucrose concentration on refractive index using a laser pointer however I would like to complicate this experiment as this is just a simple how x affects y experiment.

It may also seem to straight forward as obviously higher concentration would have a higher refractive index and I can only apply snell's law on this. I am looking forward to achieving an actual mathematical relationship between the two variables.

Is there anyway I can expand on this idea? Perhaps to find an optimum property? Or investigate more independent variables?

Any suggestions would be appreciated greatly!

Thank you.
 
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The change in the refraction angle is small and probably hard to measure. What would be easier would be to determine the rotation of the polarisation due to the optical activity of sucrose.
 
I'm a little confused. How do I vary the optical activity of sucrose?
 

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