Polarization

Peeping Tom-Polarized Sunglasses, Snackbook. Students take a polarization filter outside and look through a window otherwise obscured by reflection. This works well when the students stand at a 45 degree angle to the window surface. (They especially enjoy this when the window is that of the dean.)

2 Polarizing Filters- Students rotate two polarization filters perpendicular to one another.

Cellophane Windows-Polarized Light Mosaic, Snackbook. I put the tape on plastic petri dishes. Also have the students bring in crinkly wrap from packages or tape from boxes to check for polarization.

LCD- I removed the back from the liquid crystal display panel of an old calculator. Students rotate a filter over the display.

Corn Syrup-Rotating Light, Snackbook. I use two flat bottomed glass cylinders and fill them to differing levels. The cylinders are then sandwiched between two polarizers as in the Snackbook. The whole arrangement is then placed on top of an inverted transluscent plastic container. Under the container I have placed a small, low wattage bulb.Students rotate the top filter.(Corn syrup is the ultimate ant attractor, and difficult to clean when spilled. I have found there is less spillage with this arrangement.

Calcite Crystal-The crystal is placed over type. Students then rotate a filter above and/or below the crystal.

Bone Stress, Snackbook.-I have used a small, plastic magnifier for this activity. Experiment with different clear plastic objects.