On the Question of the Correct Values for Rayleigh's Ratio

Abstract

Rayleigh's ratio values for benzene, toluene, and a toluene solution of the Cornell polystyrene were determined by absolute transverse scattering measurements. Use of a diffuser in the determination of the intensity of the primary beam is superior to direct measurement from the point of view of both random and systematic errors. Both these absolute measurements, and relative measurements on two polystyrene fractions of known number-average molecular weight, confirm the ``high'' absolute scattering values. There exists a second set of absolute values, some recently determined, which is 40% lower. Likely sources of error in these measurements are pointed out.