S.

Barton

Physics SBA Form 5 Experiment #18 Refraction of Light

March 14, 2013

Objective To investigate the relationship between the angle of incidence and the corresponding angle of refraction for a rectangular transparent block Theory/Research DO NOT INCLUDE IN LAB WRITE UP. 1. What is refraction? 2. Where are the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction measured from? 3. Define critical angle. Variables Manipulating variable: angle of incidence Responding variable: angle of refraction Controlling variable: transparent material of the block Apparatus Rectangular transparent block, ruler, plain paper, protractor, laser ray box, pencil, optical pins Diagram incident ray angle of incidence

angle of refraction

refracted ray

emergent ray Procedure 1. Draw an outline of the block in pencil in the centre of the plain paper. 2. Use the protractor to draw in a normal line (as shown in the diagram) about (3 to 5) cm from the upper left corner of the long side of the block. Label the intersection of the normal and the rectangular block point O. 3. Use the protractor to measure out and draw in angles of incidence, i, of 10o, 20o up to 60o. Extend the lines as close to the edge of the paper as possible. Label the lines U, V, W, X, Y and Z respectively. 4. Shine a ray of light from a laser ray box along the 10 o incident line (labeled U). 5. Mark the path of the incident ray on the opposite side of the transparent block. By placing an X close to the block and another X near the edge of the paper. 6. Remove the block and draw a line through the Xs to the nearest side of the blocks outline. Label the line U 1. This represents the emergent ray. 7. By connecting point O to point R, draw in the refracted ray as shown in the diagram. Draw ARROWS on the incident, refracted and emergent rays indicating the direction in which the light ray travels. Use the protractor to measure the angle of refraction, r and record r and its corresponding angle of incidence, i. 8. Repeat the procedure for all the angles of incidence drawn. Note: Label the remaining emergent rays V1, W1, X1, Y1, Z1 respectively. Precautions: List two only. Data Collected/Results Draw a table showing the values of i, r, sin i and sin r. Data Analysis 1. Plot a graph of sin i (y-axis) against sin r (x-axis). 2. Does your graph show proportionality? Justify your answer. 3. From your graph, find the value of the angle of incidence when the angle of refraction is 25o. 4. What is the gradient equal to in terms of the quantities on the axes? 1

S. Barton

Physics SBA Form 5 Experiment #18 Refraction of Light

March 14, 2013

5. Give the name of the scientist who has a law associated with the term identified in part (5) above. 6. Use your graph to find the refractive index of the transparent block. 7. Given that sin c = 1/n, where c is the critical angle, find the value of the critical angle of the transparent block. Sources of Error: List two and briefly explain. Conclusion: Write an appropriate conclusion stating what you have found out from this lab. _______________________________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CUT OUT THE MARK SCHEME AND PASTE IT IN YOUR LAB BOOK. Expt: #18 Refraction of Light Skill: M/M Angles of incidence measured correctly. Angles of refraction appropriately measured Construction lines drawn for refracted ray Construction lines drawn for emergent ray Incident and emergent rays are parallel and show lateral displacement TOTAL Marks 1 1 3 3 2 10 Award ed Awarded

Expt. #18 Refraction of Light Mark Skill: A/I s Graph drawn title, axes labeled, scale used, points 3 plotted, best-fit line drawn, thin line drawn Angle of incidence determined correctly for angle of 2 refraction of 25o working must be shown Correct meaning of gradient in words 1 Gradient calculated large triangle drawn, two sets of 2 points used Critical angle calculated correctly 2 TOTAL 10