Illustrated Guide to Home Forensic Science Experiments

Chapter 16. Lab III-2 Compare Refractive Indices of Glass and Plastic Specimens

Equipment and Materials

You’ll need the following items to complete this lab session. (The standard kit for this book, available from http://www.thehomescientist.com, includes the items listed in the first group.)

Materials from Kit

• Goggles

• Beaker, 100 mL

• Forceps

• Magnifier

• Pipettes

• Slides, deep-cavity

Materials you Provide

• Gloves

• Isopropanol or acetone

• Microscope

• RI matching fluids (from Chapter 14)

• Specimens: glass and plastic (see text)

Warning

Glass and plastic fragments have sharp edges and may cut you. Handle them with forceps. Isopropanol is flammable. As a matter of good practice, you should always wear splash goggles, gloves, and protective clothing when working in the lab. ...