We have developed a simple, accurate, and inexpensive system for determining the refractive index of various compounds using a laser pointer and a chromatography column. We applied this system to measure the refractive index of a solid compound based on the observation that the refractive index of a liquid remains unchanged on addition of a solid if the refractive index of the solid is the same as the liquid. The refractive index of solid compounds including lauric acid, myristic acid, and p-dichlorobenzene has been determined using an out-in method. The refractive index determined by this new method was found to be close to the literature values for all three solids.

Application of the laser pointer method to determine the refractive index of solid compounds: Out-in method

244th National Meeting (2012)

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