Inversion of light polarization by sucrose hydrolysis

In this experiment you will study the acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of sucrose.

Literature

  1. A description of the experiment is found in the following article:
    • "Acid-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Sucrose - A student study of a reaction mechanism" by J. G. Dawber, D. R. Brown and R. A. Reed. It can be downloaded from here. You will compare your results to the results reported in this paper.
    • F.Daniels et al. Experimental Physical Chemistry 7th edition.
  2. For basic knowledge in chemical kinetics:
    • R. A. Alberty and R.J.Silbey, Physical Chemistry, second edition, John Wiley and Sons, N.Y., 1996 pp. 710 - 729.
    • P.W. Atkins, Physical Chemistry, sixth edition, Oxford University Press, 1998, pp.761 - 784.
  3. For basic principles of He-Ne laser, photodiode, polarizers, light polarization etc. :
    • B.E.A. Saleh and M.C. Teich, Fundamentals of Photonics John Wiley & Sons, N.Y., 1991.
    • E. Hecht and A. Zajac, Optics, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1987.
  4. 3.4. More information about polarizers and important information about the specific rotations of sucrose, fructose, and glucose can be accessed here: Polarimetry
  5. Recommended websites: