Laser and Tank Setup
Index of Refraction & Critical Angle image

 

Code Number: 6A42.20

Demo Title: Refraction - Laser and Tank

Condition: Excellent

Principle: Refraction of Light Waves

Area of Study: Optics

Equipment:

Fish Tank with Water, Fluorescein Dye (Water Soluble), Helium-Neon Laser (5 mW), Green Laser Pointers, Pine-Sol, and Green Fluorescent Dye.

Procedure:

Using the laser you may demonstrate total internal reflection and by using the aerosol haze spray or water mist to make the laser beam visible in air you may demonstrate index of refraction properties.

CAUTION: These are common laser pointers.  Still, extreme care must be taken to insure that they are NEVER pointed at the audience, or more likely, impact the eyes of the lecturer.

A solution that will work only for all lasers is to put 1 teaspoons of water soluble Fluorescein into the 40 gallons of water the tank holds.  If too much Fluorescein is added to the tank, the green laser light will be absorbed and only the red laser light will be transmitted through the tank.

The above solutions will only need to be emptied from the tank if the water become dirty of collects too much chalk.  Otherwise, they will remain good for this demonstration for up to a decade.

A common solution for the fish tank is to put 2 tablespoons of "Pine-Sol" into the 40 gallons of water that the tank holds.  1/4 bottle of the green fluorescent dye can also be added to enhance the laser beam viewing.  This solution will work with both green and red lasers.  NOTE:  The tank must be emptied after each use if using this solution as it will eventually soften the epoxy that hold the tank together until catastrophic leakage occurs.

References:

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Video Credit: Jonathan M. Sullivan-Wood

6A42.20 - Index of Refraction - Laser and Tank
6A42.20 - Critical Angle - Laser and Eye Model