Principle
The rotation of the plane of polarisation through a sugar solution measured with a half-shade  polarimeter and the reaction rate constant for the inversion of cane sugar determined.
Benefits


even transparent fluids can change the properties of light passing them

find out how fast one type of sugar changes into another one

use optical methods, involving the plane of polarisation, to observe chemical processes



Tasks

To determine the specific rotation of cane sugar (sucrose) and lactose by measuring the rotation of various solutions of known concentration.
To determine the reaction rate constant when cane sugar is transformed into invert sugar.

What you can learn about

Half-shade principle
Optical rotatory power
Optical activity
Saccharimetry
Specific rotation
Reaction rate
Weber-Fechner law