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Investigative studies of refractive indices of liquids and a demonstration of refraction by the use of a laser pointer and a lazy Susan

Siu Ling Wong1 and Se-yuen Mak2

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We describe the design of a simple homemade apparatus for the measurement of the refractive indices of liquids and demonstration of refraction. A circular transparent plastic tank and a lazy Susan are held concentrically. A laser pointer is mounted on the lazy Susan with its laser beam pointing radially through the centre of the plastic tank. Experimental values obtained for the refractive indices of various liquids agree reasonably well with the literature values. A number of investigative studies suitable for high school students to undergraduates are suggested.


PACS

01.50.Pa Laboratory experiments and apparatus

42.25.Gy Edge and boundary effects; reflection and refraction

01.50.My Demonstration experiments and apparatus

07.60.Hv Refractometers and reflectometers

Subjects

Instrumentation and measurement

Optics, quantum optics and lasers

Education and communication

Dates

Issue 2 (March 2008)

Received 27 June 2007, in final form 27 September 2007



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