PURPOSE: Demonstrate how scattering can depolarize light.

DESCRIPTION: This demonstration uses the system of goose neck lamp and two rotating polaroids from demonstration M7-03 POLAROIDS AND GOOSENECK LAMP. Rotating the upper polaroid verifies the transverse nature of the light. A sheet of wax paper, placed between the crossed polaroids as shown above, depolarizes the light so that the field cannot be made dark by rotating either polaroid. This also demonstrates that it is not optical activity.

SUGGESTIONS:

REFERENCES: (PIRA unknown.)

EQUIPMENT: Apparatus from demonstration M7-03 POLAROIDS AND GOOSENECK LAMP with piece of wax paper.

SETUP TIME: None.