Og-4 Polarisation by Scattering
Published: Wednesday 15 March 2006 - Updated: Monday 28 March 2011
Aim
To demonstrate that scattered light is polarised. When the direction of observation is normal to the primary beam, the light is completely linearly polarized.
Apparatus
- Slide projector
- Large fish tank
- Polaroids
Diagrams
Click on pictures to enlarge.
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Polarisation By Scattering Diagram |
Description
A large fish tank is filled with water; if required a few drops of milk may be added to increase the scattering. A slide projector is used to illuminate the solution. The solution appears bluish white in scattered light and yellowish in direct light indicating that Rayleigh scattering predominates. A large sheet of polaroid is used to investigate the polarization of the scattered light.