Reflection And Refraction (Page 2 of 4) in pdf

Reflection And Refraction Page 2

Experiment: Part 1

1. Block off all slits on the ray box with masking tape, except for the center slit.

2. Place the solid semicircular block so that it is centered on the polar graph paper with its flat

edge facing the ray box. Secure the block to the graph paper with tape so that the flat side lies

along the center line (parallel to the short side of the paper). The center of the block should be

aligned with the center of the coordinate system.

3. Angles will be measured with respect to the zero degree line on the polar graph paper. Note

that all angle measurements will be in the range 0° ≤ θ ≤ 90°.

4. Starting with the light ray at normal incidence (perpendicular) to the flat edge of the block,

rotate the graph paper from 0° to 90° in 10° increments, each time recording the angle of

reflection and the angle of refraction as the light exits the block through its curved side. Be sure

that the light enters the block at the center point. Record your measurements in Table 1. (Note:

the amount of reflected light may be very small, so the reflected trace may be very faint. You

will need to dim the room lights to record the angle of reflection.)

Table 1

Angle of Incidence

Angle or Reflection

Angle of Refraction

Index of Refraction

0°

10°

20°

30°

40°

50°

60°

70°

80°

Average index of refraction: ________________

Part 2:

Starting with the light ray at normal incidence (perpendicular) to the curved edge of the block,

rotate the graph paper from 0° to 90°, each time noting the angle of reflection and the angle of

refraction as the light exits the block through its flat side. Be sure that the light exits the block at

Reflection And Refraction Page 2