PASCO OS-9477A User Manual

Instruction Manual

Polarizer Disk

(2)

Polarizer Base

(2)

Notches fit on

PASCO Optics

Track

Alignment Tab

Alignment Notch

Angle Alignment

Mark

Diameter = 19 cm (7.4 in)

Degree Indicators

WARNING: Avoid

touching the

polarizer material!

Polarizer Demonstrator

OS-9477A

012-14146B

Polarizer Demonstrator Introduction

Figure: Top View

Ta b

Notch

Notch in base fits on Optics Track

Polarizer Demonstrator (OS-9477A)

Included Items Quantity

Polarizer Disk 2

Polarizer Base 2

Introduction

The Polarizer Demonstrator can be used for easily visible classroom demonstrations. They can show how the intensity of transmitted light through two polarizers varies with the angle of one polarizer compared to the other. The Polarizer Demonstrator can be used to investigate stress distribution patterns by viewing clear plastic objects between crossed polarizers.

The Polarizer Demonstrator has two Polarizer Disks and two Polarizer Bases. The plastic frame of the Polarizer Disk has degree indicators every five degrees. The plastic frame fits into the curved portion of the Polarizer Base and can be rotated easily in the base. The Polarizer Base has an Angle Alignment Mark on both sides. The base has notches on its bottom edge that fit on top of a PASCO Optics Track. Each base also has an alignment tab and an alignment notch on both sides. The base has two threaded holes (1/4” - 20 threads per inch) for mounting accessories, and a hole that can be used to attach the base to an optics track if necessary (mounting hardware not included).

Setup

1. Place each Polarizer Disk in a Polarizer Base. Place the bases so that the alignment tabs fit into the alignment notches.

2. For use with a PASCO Optics Track: Place each Polarizer Disk into a Polarizer Base. Place both bases on the PASCO Optics Track so that the notches in the bottom of the bases fit on top of the optics track. Adjust the distance between the polarizers as needed.

WARNING: Handle the Polarizer Disks carefully. Avoid touching the polarizer material of the Polarizer Disk.

Cleaning

To remove finger prints from the polarizer material, use only lens cleaning tissue or a soft cloth that is specifically designed for cleaning eyeglasses. Do not put liquids on the polarizer material.

Operation

Set each Polarizer Disk so that the zero degree mark is next to the angle alignment mark on the Polarizer Base. Look through both disks at an object or light source. Slowly turn one of the Polarizer Disks and observe what happens to the intensity of light transmitted through the disks. Note the angle of the disk that you turned. Continue turning the Polarizer Disk until the 180 degrees mark is next to the angle alignment mark on the base. Compare the intensity of light transmitted through the disks to the intensity of light transmitted at zero degrees.

Suggestions

Set one Polarizer Disk at zero degrees and the second at 90 degrees. (This is called “cross-polarized”.) Adjust the second

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