Polarimeter
Experiment’s Aim
In this experiment, we will find the specific rotation of sugar solution by using
Laurent’s Half Shade Polarimeter.
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Apparatus Used
Polarimeter, sodium lamp, sugar, beakers, graduated jar, weight box, and balance.
Specific Rotation of Sugar Solution Formula
Used
The angle of rotation produced by any optically active substance depends on some
factors;
1. the thickness of the substance
2. the concentration of the solution (gm/cc)
3. temperature and,
4. the wavelength of light used
The optical activity of a substance is measured by its specific rotation (or specific
rotatory power).
The specific rotation of sugar solution is determined by the formula;
S = θ / LC
where ‘θ’ is the rotation produced in degree, L is the length of the tube in the
decimeter (1 decimeter = 10 cm) and C is the concentration of the active substance
in gm/cc in the solution. The unit of specific rotation is degree/(decimeter) x
(gm/cm3 ).
If length of the solution (tube) is in cm then the formula will be;
S = 10θ / LC
also, C = mass of the substance (M) / volume (V).
So,
specific rotation = (10 X θ X V) / (L X M)
Laurent’s Half-Shade Polarimeter
In this experiment, we are using Laurent’s half shade polarimeter to measure the angle of a
plane-polarized light beam. In this experimental arrangement, we use a monochromatic
extended light source (sodium lamp with its D Line, wavelength 589 nm). A convex lens to
make this sodium light parallel for falling on the Nicol prism which is called polariser.
When light passes through the Nicol prism it becomes plane-polarized light. Further, this
plane-polarized light passes through Laurent’s half shade plate and enters into the tube that
contains a sugar solution.
Procedure
1. Make a sugar solution first, weigh sugar crystal in a watch glass and dissolve
it in 100 c.c. distilled water. From it you will calculate the concentration of
the substance C. For example, you are taking 40 gm of cane sugar that is
dissolved in water to make 100 c.c. of solution. The concentration C will be
40/100 =0.40 g/c.c.
2. Clean the glass tube from both sides and first filled it with the distilled water.
It should be free from dust and bubbles.
3. Now, put the tube in the frame and switch on the sodium lamp. Look
through the analyzer, an eyepiece connected with the rotating scale.
4. You will see two equal portions of dark and bright, that can be interchanged
after rotating the analyzer.
5. Now rotate the analyzer first in the clockwise direction and then in
anticlockwise. You have to rotate it until the circular field of view becomes
bright.
6. Note down these readings
7. Similarly, you can take second and third readings for both the directions in
the absence of sugar solution.
8. Find the mean of two directions reading separately.
9. Now, take out the polarimeter tube and fill it with the sugar solution that you
prepared in the beginning.
10. Put it in the same frame and fix properly.
11. Now repeat the same procedure as you did with distilled water case.
12. Note down the first reading of the analyzer in the clockwise and
anticlockwise direction. Similarly for the other set of readings.
13. The difference between the water and sugar solution readings gives the
value of specific rotation.
14. Repeat the experiment with different concentrations of sugar solution.
15. Note down the room temperature and length of the tube used in this
experiment.
Observation of Polarimeter Experiment
1. Room temperature = 250 C
2. Weight of sugar = 24 gm
3. The volume of water taken = 100ml
4. The least count of the analyzer = 1
5. Length of the polarimeter tube = 11.5 cm (1.15 dm)[ remember if you have to
use length in cm then the formulation will be different for specific rotation,
as mentioned above].
Table For Specific Rotation of Sugar Solution
(Angle of Rotation
For Water
Sr.
Analyzer’s Reading
No.
Mean = (θ +
θ’)/2
Clockwise Anticlockwise
rotation (θ) rotation (θ’)
Mean
X
For 1st Sugar Solution
Sr.
Analyzer’s Reading
No.
Mean = (θ2 +
θ2‘)/2
Clockwise rotation Anticlockwise rotation
(θ2) (θ2‘)
Mean Y
So, rotation produced by the sugar solution = X-Y = [its interpretation is important.]
Then the specific rotation of the sugar solution, from the formula is;
S = 10θ / LC
also, C = mass of the substance (M) / volume (V).
So,
specific rotation = ( θ X V) / (L X M)
