Half Shade Polarimeter

HALF SHADE POLARIMETER
Aim:
To determine the specific rotation of sugar solution using half shade polarimeter .
Apparatus:
Polarimeter, polarimeter tube, sodium vapour lamp, sodium vapour lamp power supply, measuring
flask, main’s cord, beaker, sucrose(sugar)powder, distilled water.
Formula:
𝜽
S=
𝒄𝒍
Were
S= specific rotation of sugar solution in deg ml g-1dm-1
θ = angle of optical rotation in deg
𝑙 = length of tube in dm
c = concentration of sugar solution in g/ml
Theory and Procedure:
Theory:
Half shade polarimeter is a simple and useful apparatus for understanding the concept of polarization.
With the help of Half shade polarimeter , polarization can be studied as well as analysed.
Half shade polarimeter is based on Biots law, When a plane polarized light is passed through an optically
active substance, the plane of polarization of light gets rotated. We can analyse polarization using an optically
active substance in both solid as well as in solution form.
Half shade polarimeter consists of three main components, a polarizer, a half wave plate and an
analyser. Polarizer is a polaroid used to produce a plane polarized light. Analyser is also a polaroid
used to read the angle of rotation as a result of optical activity. In order to find out the effect of
relative rotation between the polaroids on intensity of transmitted light, we are using a half wave
plate. A half wave plate is a crystal plate that separates the incident light wave into ordinary and
extra-ordinary light waves. And the plate thickness is such as produce a phase difference of 180 0
between the ordinary and extra-ordinary light waves. Comparing the brightness of the two halves of
half wave plate, one can easily find out the optical rotation produced by an optically active substance
in solution form.
If half wave plate is excluded from the arrangement, we can still read the angle of rotation by comparing
the positions of minimum intensity. The positions of minimum intensity are read separately for
distilled water and for an optically active substance in solution form. But this measurement will be
correct only up to ±20 since eye is unable to judge the exact position of minimum intensity of image.
Thus for better accuracy, half shade polarimeter is used which involves comparing the brightness of two halves
in the field of view.
Procedure:
1. First connect the sodium vapour lamp power supply with mains. Then connect it with the light source
enclosure with the help of main’s cord. Then switch ON the power supply.
2. Wait for 30minutes till the lamp glows bright yellowish.
3. Place the Teflon plate end of polarimeter in front of the sodium lamp.
4. Adjust their level to bright illuminate the Teflon plate of polarimeter normally.
5. Now clean the polarimeter tube and fill it with distilled water.
6. Place the tube horizontally inside the space provided for polarimeter tube in the centre of
polarimeter. Have a view through the polarimeter’s analyser end and adjust it for maximum intensity.
7. Observe two halves of different illumination in the field of view as shown in figure.
8. Rotate the analyser by 3600 to find four positions of equal brightness or uniform illumination. Out of
these four, two positions are comparatively brighter on a rotation difference of 180 0. We have to read
these two positions only.
9. Rotate then analyser along clockwise direction to obtain the first position of uniform illumination.
Note the circular scale reading.
10. Further rotate the analyser in the clockwise direction to obtain second position. Again read the
circular scale.
11. Now moving along the anticlockwise direction, re-obtain the first and second positions of uniform
illumination. Read the two positions again.
12. Remove water from the polarimeter tube.

13. Now weight 26 grams sugar with the help of precision physical balance.
14. Then measure 100cm3 (or 100ml) of distilled water using a clean measuring flask. Put the water in a
beaker.
15. Add the weighted sugar in 100ml of distilled water and stair well till a homogenous solution is
obtained. Call the concentration as C0=0.26g/ml.
16. Rinse the tube thoroughly with sugar solution. Then fill the tube with the prepared sugar solution of
concentration C0. Take care that no air bubbles should be formed. If the bubble is formed, trap the
bubble within the central bulge by keeping the tube horizontal.
17. Place the tube horizontally inside the polarimeter.
18. Measure the room temperature using a laboratory thermometer in 0C.
19. Length of polarimeter tube in our case is 1 decimeter. Therefore, for sugar solution of concentration,
C0=0.26g/ml.
Table for determination of specific rotation of sugar solution :
S.NO Type of Position of Analyser Mean Angle of Specific
liquid One position Position after reading optical rotation
1800 rotation rotation S= θ/c𝑙
On CLK On Anti On CLK On Anti θ = K-P
rotation CLK rotation CLK in deg deg ml
rotation rotation g-1dm-1
1 Distilled K=
Water
2 Sugar P=
solution
Precautions:
 Never connect the sodium vapour lamp directly to the main power supply.
 Avoid formulation of air bubble inside polarimeter tube. If bubble is formed, keep the tube
horizontal to trap the bubble within the central bulge.
Observations:
Length of the polarimeter tube 𝑙 = 1 decimetre
Concentration of sugar solution C = g/ml
Result:
The value of specific rotation at room at room temperature S = deg ml g-1dm-1

Half Shade Polarimeter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Half Shade Polarimeter

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Half Shade Polarimeter

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

HALF SHADE POLARIMETER

S= specific rotation of sugar solution in deg ml g-1dm-1

θ = angle of optical rotation in deg

c = concentration of sugar solution in g/ml

Theory and Procedure:

12. Remove water from the polarimeter tube.

Length of the polarimeter tube 𝑙 = 1 decimetre

Concentration of sugar solution C = g/ml

You might also like