UIUC Physics Lecture Demo: Wine Glass and Corn Syrup Polarization

UIUC Physics
Lecture Demonstration
Database

Demo # 433

Wine Glass and Corn Syrup Polarization

ID # 433

Description:

A glass of white Karo syrup is placed between two polarization screens with a light source behind the back screen. Due to the shape of the different sugar molecules in the syrup, they exhibit optical activity, meaning that the (originally linear polarized) light becomes circularly polarized when it passes through the syrup.

Picture of Wine Glass and Corn Syrup Polarization

Physics Concept:

Light
Polarization
Circular Polarization

The demonstration takes about 1 minute to perform.