Experiment 7: Introduction to Reflection and Refraction

Purpose: To use the geometry of a semicircle to analyze the properties of reflection and refraction when an electromagnetic wave travels through a medium of a different material.

Equipment:

• Light box
• Semicircular plastic
• Circular protractor



Experiment:

A beam of light was emited from a light box position at a known angle onto the circular protractor.

The refracted wave will have a different angle than the angle of incidence, normal to the surface of the semicircular plastic.

Through visual analysis, a difference can be recorded using the opposite side of the circular protractor. Increasing increments of 5-8 degrees will be used for a total of 10 trials.

Prism A - Incidence Ray onto circular side

Data Collected for Set up Demostratrated Above - Part A

Prism B - Incidence Ray onto flat side

 

 

Data Collected for Set up Demostrated Above - Part B

 

Conclusion:

Part A)

The light ray on the onto the curved surface of the semicircular prism was reflected as predicted. The Linear regression line and slope of sinӨ1 vs sinӨ2 represent the n(air)/n(glass).

This makes sense since the index of refraction of the prism is greater than air(1.00), therefore the slope being less than 1 confirms the relationship of the difraction in the prism.

Part B)

Re-enforceably, the results were once again attained from the reversed physical set up of the prism. The slope from the linear regression line was the same, comfirming the same index of refraction of the prism.