Hi
One of the teachers here just showed me this cool thing. Glycerine and glass have the same refractive index. Soooo if you put a little beaker inside a big beaker then fill the beakers with glycerine the little beaker disappears. It may be old hat to all you clever folk out there but it was new to me so I thought I'd share.
Krysia
Cool Refractive index prac
- Krysia Lee
- Posts: 228
- Joined: 27 Oct 2009, 10:40
- Job Title: Labbie
- School: Brigidine College
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- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cool Refractive index prac
Thanks. I didn't know that either. If I can find enough glycerine I'm keen to try it.
- nickykinz
- Posts: 271
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- Job Title: Lab Assistant
- School: St Augustine's College
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- State/Location: QLD
Re: Cool Refractive index prac
We do this using baby oil. The glass doesn't completely disappear so it may not be as good as glycerine but easier to get large quantities of. I just pour back into the bottle and save for next time. The other part is to put a glass dropper into the oil and then suck some oil up into it, now you see it, now you can't!
Nicky
St Augustine's College
Augustine Heights, QLD 4300
St Augustine's College
Augustine Heights, QLD 4300
- smeee
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- School: LaSalle Catholic College
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- State/Location: NSW
Re: Cool Refractive index prac
cooking oil works well...and is cheaper ...and can be recycled
Re: Cool Refractive index prac
WOW this actually works!.I got all excited and inspired when I read this thread yesterday that I had to see for myself. Told my HOD about it and how easy it was so next week he's going to do it next week with the kids who are currently studying "Light and Sound".
Judith
Judith
Re: Cool Refractive index prac
We do it with a short test tube or vial inside a little beaker. That way I don't have to find bucket loads of glycerine.
Cheers, K
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Re: Cool Refractive index prac
Just did it and have set it up as a display. Thanks for the idea it is a great demo.
- Labbie
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Re: Cool Refractive index prac
gosh that is a old one.
Regards Labbie
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired
Lab Manager/Lab Tech, mind reading etc etc
Now retired