2.1 (c)
Contents
Demonstration 1
There are several common demonstrations. Firstly the demonstration of a transverse wave on a rope passing through a vertical slit. This helps to give an explanation of the polarisation of transverse waves (it is at this point useful to explain that you cannot polarise longitudinal waves). You can then demostrate polarisation of microwaves through a grill using the emitter and detector, as well as just turning (rotating) the emitter or detector on their own. Notes shold be made on the details of these different demonstrations.
Resources
Analysis
Equipment
Safety
Demonstration 2
The polaristaion of white light. This can be done with cross polaroids to begin with. This can be followed demonstrating the stress tester for plastics (good for engineers). Another application uses the polarimeter to measure the change in angle of the plane of polaristaion of light passing through different (known) concentrations of sugar solution, plotting the data, then finding the concentrations of unknown sugar solutions from the graph. It is also worth showing them that LCD screens (like your lap top) produce polarised light.
Resources
To explain how polarisation works in different circumstances.
Analysis
This can be disucssed along side chiral molecules, although this will be before they do it in Chemistry. The explanation for the polarisation of white light through a filter cannot be explained using the wave on a rope demonstration above.
