Optics > Polarization > Double Refraction DCS# 6H35.15

BIREFRINGENT CALCITE CRYSTAL

calcite crystal

APPARATUS
calcite crystal 202-21-D5
polarizing filter 202-21-E6
document camera
201


DESCRIPTION
Place the calcite crystal on a sheet of paper with a dot on it on the document camera.  Rotate the crystal to show that one ray is on axis while the other rotates around it.  Use a polarizer to show that the two rays are orthogonally polarized.

 
NOTES
 
One could also show the calcite (CaCO3) crystal model:
model of calcium carbonate