WALCHAND COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, SANGLI
(An Autonomous Institute)
PHYSICS LABORATORY
Expt. No: Date:
Title of Experiment: SPECIFIC ROTATION OF SUGAR SOLUTION
Aim : To determine the specific rotation of cane sugar solution by using polarimeter.
Apparatus : Polarimeter (Lorentz Half shade), Sodium vapour lamp, Sugar solution
Glassware etc.
Figure :
Procedure :
Part I : Preparation of Solution
1. 15 gm Sugar is provided to you.
2. Take some water in measuring cylinder, dissolve given sugar in it then add water in
such a way that total volume becomes 150 ml. Filter it. The conc. of this solution is
0.1 gm/cc and then stores it carefully.
3. Fill Polarimeter tube with pure water; note that both ends of tube must be clean.
Part II : How to take readings
1. Remember, Polarimeter must always be in direction of light source.
2. Place Polarimeter tube in Polarimeter & remember bubble must be at center.
3. Keep Analyzer on scale then adjust the eyepiece in such a way that there seen a
bright sphere with line between it.
4. Rotate Analyzer slowly in clockwise direction. A stage arises where you will
observe a semi sphere.
5. Further, you will see same sphere, but intensity of light on sphere will be less &
uniform. Here you have to take reading and note it.
6. Further, you will observe semi sphere.
7. Now, take 0.1 conc. Solution in tube apply above procedure and take reading.
8. To prepare 0.09 solution, take another measuring cylinder, take 45 ml of 0.1 conc.
solution & add 5ml water in it. Apply above procedure & take the reading.
9. To prepare 0.08 solution, take 40 ml of 0.1 conc. Solution & add 10ml water in it.
Apply above procedure & take the reading.
10. To prepare 0.07 solution. Take 35 ml of 0.1 conc. solution & add 15 ml water in
it. Apply above procedure & take the reading.
11. For angle of rotation take difference between the reading of water & conc. Draw
graph of θ & x, remember a straight line arises through origin.
Observations :
1. Mass of Sugar ………gm.
2. Volume of distilled water ………ml.
3. Concentration of Solution(c) ……….gm/cc.
4. Room Temperature………0C
5. Wavelength of light used (λ) = 5890 Ao.
6. Least count of Polarimeter =
Observation Table :
1. Analyzer readings for Distilled Water:
MSR VSR LC Total Reading for Distilled Water
(TRDW)
2. Analyzer readings for solution for different concentration:
Vernier Reading
Concentration Angle of Rotation
(with solution)
Sr. (X) Mean
No. (g / ml) θ
A B A B
1. 0.1
2. 0.09
3. 0.08
4. 0.07
5. 0.06
Farmula & Calculations :
1. Calculate the specific rotation using the formula.
10∗𝜃
α=
𝐿∗𝑋
2.Plot the Graph between concentration (X) and angle (𝜃). Calculate specific rotation (α) using
formula.
10
α= ∗ (𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒)
𝐿
Result : Specific Rotation of given cane sugar solution (α) = ……………. Degree.
Stages of sphere
