Measuring sugar content of water using a laser pointer

nram5452 · Post by **nram5452** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 4:25 pm

For the laser pointer, do we have to be able to see the whole entire beam or just the dot that you see on the wall? I need to get a laser pointer and I don't know if the beam has to be visible or just the dot. Thanks.

eedoherty · Post by **eedoherty** » Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:01 pm

Hi there,

For this experiment it looks like you only need to be able to see the beam as it travels through the prism to verify that it is parallel with the base of the prism. If this is a problem, adding a pinch of non-dairy creamer in the liquid can help you see the beam within the prism and should not significantly affect the. You could also take a straight edge and line it up with the laser beam's entrance and exit points and assume the straight line in between.

Hope this helps,

-Erin

nram5452 · Post by **nram5452** » Sat Feb 10, 2018 10:58 am

How far away should point A and point B be in inches. Also, how far away should point b and c be in inches? Thank you.

rickmarz · Post by **rickmarz** » Sat Feb 10, 2018 6:03 pm

nram5452 - I don't think the length of a-to-b is critical, as you are going to solve the problem using trigonometry. The distance of the paper on the wall to the prism will determine the length. The trade-off will be that a longer length may improve your trig measurement, but it may also introduce some diffusion of your laser spot. My guess would be to start with a distance of about 5" from the prism to the wall and adjust as seems beneficial. It will not alter the trig measurement.

Rick Marz

nram5452 · Post by **nram5452** » Mon Feb 19, 2018 10:24 am

Hi, I have to make a presentation for this project and I still need a further study. How could you study water and light refraction (this project) further? Thanks!

moderator note: Please keep your posts on this topic in the same thread so the experts who have been helping you see that you have follow-up questions. Thank you.

cumulonimbus · Post by **cumulonimbus** » Sat Feb 24, 2018 10:02 am

Hi nram5452,

You could look in the "Make It Your Own" section of the project for ideas: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... eityourown

In addition, consider questions that you still had at the end of the study. Would refraction be different with a different color laser, for example? I hope this helps!

Elena

Measuring sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Determining Sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Re: Determining Sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Measuring sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Re: Measuring sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Determining Sugar content of water using a laser pointer

Re: Measuring sugar content of water using a laser pointer