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M8-14. Photoelasticity

Purpose

To demonstrate photoelasticity in plastic.

Equipment

Polarizers for overhead projector mount, plastic U, plastic sheet.

Images

m8-14

Description

A polarizing sheet is mounted on a baffle which is positioned on the platform of the overhead projector, and a second polarizing sheet is connected to the lens of the projector. Rotating the upper polaroid shows how polaroids work. With the two polarizers crossed, a U-shaped piece of plastic is placed on the platform and squeezed at its ends to produce stress patterns with varied colors and intensities. A plastic sheet can be stretched to show similar patterns.

References

Stephen H. Burns and Myron A. Jeppesen, Photographing and Projecting Crystal Patterns in Convergent Polarized Light, AJP 28,774-776, (1960).