Characterization of Gulaman as an Exhibiting Medium of Total Internal Reflection: A Novel and Contextualized Method
Keywords:
TIR, gulamanAbstract
INTRODUCTION
The continuous improvement on the varied materials fed in by Science and Technology supports the nonstop spreading of productive and useful advancement of technologies. However, the development is entwined on the consequences of complication in utilizing it. Thus, it's been a great challenge to convey the topics simply yet remarkable. One of the most applicable concepts in physics is optics. Now, most of the medium used to exhibit Total Internal Reflection (TIR) is a prism. Unfortunately, not all schools has the capacity to describe TIR with the use of the said medium. Thus, this study was introduced to look for an alternative exhibiting medium of TIR that was contextualized.
METHODS
This study used gulaman as an exhibiting medium for TIR. The study was conducted in the dark room and limited only using gulaman powder. First, we weighed 6 grams of gulaman powder of three different colors. Mixed each weighted gulaman to the boiling water of 300 ml. We repeated this procedure using 400 ml and 500 ml. After mixing, we stirred and waited for 5-10 minutes until the powder was dissolved. Poured the solution on a 10 ml graduated cylinder and wait for 30minutes to cool. Prepared 3 trials for better comparison. When solidified, set the gulaman on a plain surface. Pointed the laser on the bottom part of the medium creating an angle of 30, 45, and 60. Applied this procedure in all colors and observe the image. Lastly, we repeated the whole procedure using another brand of gulaman.
RESULTS
2 different brands of gulaman powder were used in this study. Three colors of each gulaman were considered during the experiment. The researcher also considered different trials with varying concentration to be tested in order to display the result. Gulaman was used according to its capability to conduct and propagate light using laser as light source. The light from laser was pointed to the bottom of gulaman tube. During the experiment, colors green, red, and white were used to examine which of those were capable of demonstrating TIR.
DISCUSSIONS
Among the three colors of 2 brands, only the white color of crystal gulaman propagated light with 60 angles of incidence with 6 grams/400 ml. Total internal reflection can be observed by making a medium like prism with the use of gulaman. Gulaman was more optically dense than air, so the gulaman was the core and the air surrounds it served as cladding. By pointing a laser into the end side of gulaman tube using the white color, the researcher found out that light shows total internal reflection.