Experiment 9: Light Phenomena
Alexandra Rebosa, Jan Sanchez, Murielle Santiago
Department of Psychology
College of Science, University of Santo Tomas
España, Manila, Philippines
Abstract:
This experiment deals with the
scientific concepts behind light, such as
refraction and reflection. In this experiment,
the index of refraction of glass was
determined, along with the lateral
displacement of different light rays going
through a glass plate. Angles of incidence,
reflection, and refraction were also obtained
in the experiment. The relationship between
light intensity and distance was also
determined in the experiment with the help
of Logger Pro. The relationship between
intensity and distance was found to be an
inverse square relationship.
1. Introduction
Light is very important to humanity
and the world. It is what enables a person to
see and make sense of the world. It is also
the medium in which the sun sends out its
energy[1], which makes life on earth
possible. Without light, a person will not be
able to see anything or make sense out of his
or her world. Life will not be possible
without light, or more importantly sunlight,
since it gives energy to living objects such
as plants and animals.
The study of light is known as optics.
Optics is a branch of science that studies the
important properties of light.
A subtopic in optics includes one of
the most important properties of light,
known as reflection, refraction, and intensity
of light (brightness). The principles of
reflection, refraction, and intensity will be
further discussed in the experiment.
This experiment aims to determine
the index of refraction for glass and to verify
the laws of reflection.
2. Theory
Light does not always go through a
smooth straight path when it travels around
through different mediums. Thus, it
experiences bending when it travels through
a denser medium, such as when light travels
from the air through a glass. This
phenomenon is called the refraction of light.
The formal definition of the refraction of
light is the bending of the light, when light
arrives through a different medium where in
its speed is different [1]. Moreover, light can
also be reflected through the use of mirrors,
where in its speed remains constant, since it
did not pass through a medium. This
phenomenon could be most likely compared
to an echo in sound, though in this case the
light bounces from a smooth and glass
coated surface—a mirror.
Light can be understood through its
model of a ray and wave front. The model of
a ray can be seen through a focused sample
of light where in it concentrates through a
straight line; while the model of the wave
front can be seen through the circular like
projection of light from the sun [2]. Mainly,
the wave front connects the rays of light that
travels form a source, like the sun. Though
most the sample of light that the
experimenters have experimented, is
extrinsically can be seen with the form of a
ray.
The laws that govern when light
passes through different mediums, such us
mirrors and glasses, are the laws of
refraction and reflection.
The law of refraction, which is also
known as the Snell’s law, states that the
angle of incidence (θ1), and the index of
refraction (n1) where the angle of incidence
have occurred is directly proportional to the
angle of refraction (θ2), and the index of
refraction (n2) where the angle of refraction
occurred. This is further stated by this
equation below.
𝑛1 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 = 𝑛2 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2
Basically, the said index of refraction
in the aforementioned statement is based on
the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (c)
to the speed of light in the medium (v). This
is correctly represented by the equation
below.
𝑐 would not have any influence of the change
𝑛=
𝑣
Furthermore, the Snell’s law can also
be expanded and applied through the
application of solving for the lateral distance
(d) of light. The lateral distance of light is
the 2 parallel lines formed by the emergent
ray and the continued line of the incident
ray. The lateral distance just describes the
deviation of the ray of light or an image to
the supposed distance that the incident ray
will have if it were not for the two different
mediums. The lateral distance can be best
explained through the diagram given below.
d
Figure 1: The Location of the Lateral
Distance of Light
Thus, the lateral distance of light can
be solved through this equation below.
𝑛1 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃1
𝑑 = 𝑡𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 (1 − )
𝑛2 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃2
The law of reflection is different
from the law of refraction; because the
speed of light does not change throughout its
reflection on the medium. This is so because
the medium of mirrors are smooth, glassy,
and not transparent in nature. For which it
of speed in light. Therefore, the angle of
incidence (θi) and the angle of reflection (θr)
will be just the same with each other [3].
This is seen through this equation below.
θi = θr
The validity of the equality of the
angle of incidence to the angle of reflection
can be solved through the equation given
below.
𝜃𝑖 − 𝜃𝑟
% 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 = | | 𝑥100
𝜃 + 𝜃𝑟
( 𝑖 )
2
Light also behaves like sound when
projected through a long range. Thus, for the
instance when sound is projected in a long
range, its intensity changes. So as light, the
intensity of the light also changes
throughout a certain distance. Obviously,
when the observer of the light is near from a
source, the intensity of the light is high;
though when the observer is far from the
source of light, the intensity of the light
tends to gradually disappear or be low.
Actually, there is a law that governs this
phenomenon, and it is called the inverse
square law of intensity, where in it states
that the intensity of a constant intrinsic
luminosity of light source from an observe
point is calculated through, the square of its
distance from the point of the source of light
to its observer [4]. This is portrayed in the
equation below.
1
I = 𝑟2
3. Methodology
Activity 1: Refraction
The first activity of the experiment was
divided into three parts: Index of Refraction
for Glass, Refraction through Parallel Plate,
and Refraction through a Spherical Surface.
A. Index of Refraction for Glass
The first part of this activity
deals with the refraction of certain
materials such as glass. The index of
refraction for glass was determined
by using a rectangular glass plate and
a protractor.
First, the angle of refraction
was determined for each of the
following angles of Incidence: 10,
15, 25, 30, 35. Next, a sine of angle
of incidence versus a sine of angle
refraction was plotted. The index of
refraction was then determined based
on the data obtained from the graph.
The theoretical value for the index of
refraction of glass was obtained.
Lastly, the percent error of the
activity was computed.
B. Refraction through Parallel Plate
First, a rectangular glass plate
was placed at the centre of the paper.
The outline of a glass plate was
traced with a pencil so it may return
to its original position when moved.
Light from a laser pointer struck the
glass along ray AB. Points C and D
were marked along the emergent ray.
Next, the glass plate was removed.
The incident ray, the normal to the
plate, the angle of incidence, the
refracted ray, the angle of refraction,
and the angle of the emergent ray
was traced. Next, the angle of
incidence and the angle that the
emergent ray makes with the normal
were measured. The percent
difference was computed. Next, ray
AB was extended until it was side-
by-side with ray CD. The lateral
displacement of ray AB was
measured, and by using a little
trigonometry, its theoretical
displacement was computed. Lastly,
percent difference was computed.
C. Refraction through a Spherical
Surface
A Converging lens with a ray
box or two laser pointers pointed
parallel to each other was
illuminated. The observations in this
activity were drawn. The entire
procedure was also repeated using a
diverging lens.
Activity 2: Reflection
For the second activity of the
experiment, the angle of incidence and angle
of reflection were measured in the
experiment using a laser beam and plane
mirror.
First, the laser beam was point at
three different angles of incidence to a plane
mirror. The angle of reflection was
measured for each angle of incidence.
Lastly, the percent difference between the
angle of incidence and the angle of
reflection was computed.
Activity 3: Inverse square Law for
Intensity
For the third activity of the
experiment, the relationship between the
distance of the light source and its intensity
was determined. A computer with Logger
Pro, a light bulb, and a metrestick was used
for this activity.
First, the intensity of a light source to
sensor distances of 25 cm, 50 cm, 75 cm,
100 cm, 125 cm, and 150 cm was
determined using a sensor. The intensity
versus distance graph was plotted.
4. Results and Discussion
The activities to study the behavior
of light in the experiment had been divided
into three activities, these pertained
activities are: Activity 1: Refraction;
Activity 2: Reflection; and Activity 3:
Inverse Square Law for Intensity.
Activity 1: Refraction
For activity one the experimenters
has subjected the laser pointers to different
angles from the normal line. It is observed
that the angle of incidence and refraction are
only directly proportional up to some point,
because when the laser pointer deviated
away from the normal line, and go closer to
the horizontal of the glass plate, it got
reflected to a certain extent from the glass
plate. This just means that at a certain
degree of deviation from the normal line,
light will have a hard time to penetrate an
opaque or transparent medium. Thus, it will
result to the reflection of light to that
medium. This is greatly exemplified to the
graph below.
Figure 2: Graph of the Sine Angle of
Incidence (on the y-axis) versus Sine
Angle of Refraction (on the axis)
Since, the experimenters have
already experimented upon the behaviors of
light rays to different degrees of deviation
from the normal line; the experimenters
verified next the validity of the Snell’s law
through the application of computation
through different angles.
The experimenters achieved this
verification through preciseness of the
computed index of refraction of the glass
plate through different degrees of the angle
of incidence. The index of refraction of the
glass place was solved through the equation
below.
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃1 𝑛1
𝑛2 =
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃2
 computed lateral displacement still incurred
It is observed in the table below that an error of 13.33 percent. This percent error
the experimenters have incurred a 3.74 is mainly caused by the possible parallax
amount of percent error with the verification error in reading the measurement or,
that they conducted. Thus, this indeed just incorrectly tracing the incident ray.
proves that the values computed for was
nearly accurate. And the percent error Table2. Refraction through Parallel Plate
incurred in the experimental results was due Angle of Incidence 40
to the parallax errors in reading the in Degrees
protractor, and the minor unnoticed Angle that the 40
movement of the glass plate during Emergent Ray
throughout the actual experiment. makes with
Normal in Degrees
Table1. Index of Refraction of Glass Percent Difference 0
Angle of Incidence Angle of Measured Lateral 2.4
in Degrees Refraction in Displacement in
Degrees Centimeters
10 6.5 Computed Lateral 2.1
20 13 Displacement in
30 19.5 Centimeters
40 26 Percent Difference 13.33

The figure below shows the behavior

Experimental 1.4 of light through a spherical surface. The
Index of spherical surfaces that the experimenters
Refraction used are the convex and concave glass.
Theoretical Index 1.5 Thus, in the convex glass all of the lights
of Refraction from the laser pointer were refracted to the
Percent Error 3.74% middle of the focal point; though, in a
concave glass all of the light rays diverge
The angle that the experimenters from one another. This is exemplified
used for the computation of the lateral through the image below.
distance is the angle of 40 degrees of the
incident ray and emergent ray. As one can
see, the angle of incidence and the angle of
emergence are equal with each other. This
just means that the experimenters performed
the most accurate way in doing this, and
they have obviously incurred a zero percent
error in the comparison of both. (Note: the
angle of incidence and angle of emergence
are theoretically equal with each other.) Figure 3: Refraction through Spherical
Surface
Though, even if the angle of
incidence and the angle of emergence are
correctly equal with each other, the
Activity 2: Reflection 5. Conclusion

The table below explains the The experimenters conducted

comparison of the angle of incidence and the different activities wherein they
angle of reflection. It is theoretically experimented upon the behaviors of light in
assumed that the angle of reflection should different situations. First, it has been
be equal with each other. Though, through
experimented on how light will react
the data below there are still percent
differences in the comparison of both. This through different mediums, and spherical
is so because the mirrors might have been surfaces. Second, the intensity of the light
moved in an unnoticed manner by the was observed through the varying distances.
experimenters, or the light source was not
that focused enough (the rays is still The varying experiment has proven
scattered in some way) to actually draw an that laws of refraction, reflection, and
accurate line of the angle of incidence and inverse square law can be experimentally
angle of reflection. verified. These laws are experimentally
verified through the determination of the
Table3. Reflection
index of refraction of glass, the
Angle of Angle of Percent
Incidence Reflection Difference measurement of the angle of incidence and
in Degrees in Degrees the angle reflection, and through the logger
61 56 8.7 pro and light sensor.
65 57 13.33
63 55 13.79 Though of course the actual
experiments have incurred percent errors
Activity 3: Inverse Square Law for Intensity because of parallax errors, unnoticed
movement of the instruments during
This activity just proves that the drawing measurements, and the seemingly
farther away the light sensor or the observer
unfocused light rays since the room was not
from the light source, the lower the intensity
or brightness that it will have. This is totally dark.
exemplified and proven by the graph below.
6. Application

1. Show mathematically that a ray of light

in passing through a parallel sided glass
plate emerges parallel to its incident path.

Let’s say that θ1=18°, nair=1, nglass=1.52

nairsinθ1 = nglasssinθ2

Part 1

(1) (sin18°) = sinθ2 (1.52)

Figure 4: Inverse Square Law for
Intensity sinθ2 = [(1) (sin18°)]/ 1.52
θ2 = 11.73° http://csep10.phys.utk.edu/astr162/lect/light/
intensity.html
2. As a ray of light enters a piece of glass
plate, some it is reflected and some
refracted. If the incidence is 18 degrees,
what is A) angle of reflection B) angle of
refraction? The index of refraction of
glass is 1.52

A.) the angle of reflection is 16°

(sin16°=0.26)

B.) the angle of refraction is 13°

(sin13°=0.22).

3. Cite some practical uses of refraction

and reflection of light.

In disco clubs, a mirror ball with

uniform pieces of mirrors reflects lights onto
the people on the dance floor and the
surrounding and fiber-optics also uses the
principles of reflection. As for refraction, it
is used for lenses in contact lenses, glasses.

7. References

[1] Refraction of light. (n.d.) Retrieved May

15, 2014, from http://hyperphysics.phy-
astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html

[2] Refraction and reflection of light. (n.d.)

Retrieved May 17, 2014, from
http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/py106/Reflecti
on.html

[3] Snell’s law. (n.d.) Retrieved May 16,

2014, from
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refr
n/Lesson-2/Snell-s-Law

[4] Intensity: Inverse square law. (n.d.)

Retrieved May 17, 2014, from