Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

A visual understanding of optical rotation using corn syrup

Nixon, M.; Hughes, I.G.

A visual understanding of optical rotation using corn syrup Thumbnail


Authors

M. Nixon



Abstract

In this paper a visual demonstration of optical rotation is presented, with content appropriate for use in a lecture demonstration as well as quantitative techniques suitable for an undergraduate-laboratory experiment. Linearly polarised lasers of various wavelengths are propagated through a glass tube containing corn syrup. The rotation of the plane of polarisation of the light is visible with the naked eye, making the experiment dramatic and engaging and aiding understanding of the phenomenon of optical rotation. In addition, we present a simple approach to quantitatively analyse data using only equipment commonly found in undergraduate teaching laboratories.

Citation

Nixon, M., & Hughes, I. (2017). A visual understanding of optical rotation using corn syrup. European Journal of Physics, 38(4), Article 045302. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa6a0b

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 29, 2017
Online Publication Date Apr 20, 2017
Publication Date Apr 20, 2017
Deposit Date Jun 30, 2017
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal European Journal of Physics
Print ISSN 0143-0807
Electronic ISSN 1361-6404
Publisher IOP Publishing
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 38
Issue 4
Article Number 045302
DOI https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa6a0b

Files

Accepted Journal Article (705 Kb)
PDF

Copyright Statement
This is an author-created, un-copyedited version of an article published in European Journal of Physics. IOP Publishing Ltd is not responsible for any errors or omissions in this version of the manuscript or any version derived from it. The Version of Record is available online at https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/aa6a0b





You might also like



Downloadable Citations