Refraction

• Aim:

  Calculate the refractive index for a material
• Independent variable?


  angle of incidence
• Dependent variable?


  Angle of refraction
• Controlled variables?


  Ray box and material of block
• Step 1:

  Place glass/perspex block on a piece of paper and shine light from the ray box in at an angle
• Step 2:

  Draw around the block and mark the point of origin of the ray as well as its entry and exit points, and the normal (90 degrees to surface)
• Step 3:

  Measure the angle of incidence (i) and angle of refraction (r) from the normal (0 degrees on protractor on the normal)
• Step 4:

  Repeat for varying angles of incidence, calculate refractive index for each repeat
• Refractive index equation?

  use sin button on calculator