Polarimeter measure the rotation of polarized light as it passes through an optically active substance and the tendency of the molecule to rotate the plane polarized light towards clock-wise or anti-clock wise direction whose extent of the rotation can be measured.
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[α]Tλ = α/l.c
[α]Tλ = specific rotation
λ = wavelength of light
T = temperature
α = observed rotation in degrees
l = cell path in decimeters
c = concentration (gm/100ml)