The Sunset Experiment: Scattering And Polarization Of Light By Small Particles

Type of activity: demo
Activity code:  L-004aii

Courses


Description:

Also known as the Rayleigh experiment.

1) Fill the Plexiglas tank to 3/4 full of water.
2) Position projector lamp such that it is shining through the center of the water.
2) Add a very small amount of milk to the water.
3) Mix, turn on the projector and observe the Rayleigh effect.

(Solution glows a darker brown if too much milk has been added)


Older setup:
1. Add 21 grams of fixer to 6 liters of distilled water and mix thoroughly. 
2. Add 4.5-5 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid to 100 ml of distilled water and stir thoroughly. 
3. Shine a spot of light through the mixture in the tank and project it on to side screen. 
4. 3-6 minutes turns red Note: tank will clear then become cloudy again. 
Method:
1. To start demonstration add 4ml of sulfuric acid to tank mixture and stir thoroughly. 
2. As sulfur particles begin to form (after about 2 minutes) the scattered light turns a pale-blue. 
3. Next the beam turns yellow to orange and finally to red after 3 minutes.

Apparatus

Leitz Projector Lens
Acrylic Tank
Jack
Distilled Water
Milk
Polarized Sheet
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