Study Chirality with a Homemade Polarimeter

[jzhangx3]

I am wondering why the project outline for this on Science Buddies says that it will require 6-10 days when it seems like it would only take a day or two?


Also, for the abstract of this project, I'm wondering how the results of it could help our society or make improvements to anything we use in our society? The results seem like they don't really contribute to how someone might change the way they make or do something.

Thanks!

[rmarz]

jzhangx3 - I believe the 6-10 day estimate was just to allow time to assemble the materials and allow the student ample time to make several tests of various concentration solutions, take measurements, do the analysis and document all findings. I agree, that if you spend long periods of concentrated time, it could be done in a much shorter period.

This experiment, in essence, is creating a scientific instrument suitable in measuring certain light phenomena by observing light orientation through a polarizing filter. While it is difficult to see how this directly benefits society, it is a tool that other scientists might use to understand part of a much bigger experiment involving chemistry, biology or other life critical sciences that might have a direct benefit on the health or well-being of humans, animals or our environment. Hope that helps you put it in a better perspective.

Rick Marz

[deleted-133890]

Hi jzhangx3,

I agree with what Rick had said earlier, but just wanted to add that your project could have applications in the drug manufacturing industry, specifically. As the project mentions in its introduction, some molecules can be either toxic or medicinal depending on its chirality. The development of a more effective way to either identify the chirality of molecules or separates molecules of one chirality from the other would have vast applications for pharmaceutical companies. Of course, as Rick said earlier, there are many other applications you could mention as well.

Hope this helped!

[jzhangx3]

Thanks so much!
Definitely helped

[jzhangx3]

Hey I have one more question:
what is usually the type of glucose found in Karo Light Corn Syrup?
(ex: Alpha-D Glucose or Beta-D glucose)
I'm trying to figure out the specific rotation angle of glucose in Karo Light Corn Syrup (specific rotation as in the angle that the glucose cannot rotate past--the maximum angle of rotation)

THANKS SO MUCH

[awesome123]

how are you supposed to mark the angles on the cardboard at which the screen and the solutions get darkest. The cardboard sits underneath the rotating base so how are you supposed to do it? I need an answer ASAP!!!!

thanks

[theborg]

Awesome 123,

Thank you for your question. In the future, posting your question as a separate thread will help ensure faster expert response.

In this experiment, the cardboard base should be larger than the lazy suzan used to rotate the laptop and solutions. It remains stationery while the experiment is rotated on top. If you make a mark on the edge of the lazy suzan and a corresponding mark on the cardboard then rotate your experiment per the instructions, then make a mark on the cardboard that corresponds to the new location of the lazy suzan mark, the angle between the cardboard marks is your angle of rotation.