PURPOSE: Beautiful and simple demonstration of optical activity.
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.
SUGGESTIONS:
REFERENCES: See Demonstration Reference File.
EQUIPMENT: Goose neck lamp with 100 watt bulb, rotating polaroids on base, bottle of Karo syrup with label removed.
SETUP TIME: None.