Light Refraction Lab

Bridgette Buse
6/23/2013



Recommended grade level: 9
th
-12
th


Time allotment: 45 minutes

Overview: This laboratory experiment will help students observe the properties of light waves as they
move through different media. This observation will be made by shining a laser through two different
media at variable angles of incidence and measuring the corresponding angles of refraction. Having made
the measurements, using Snells law, students will calculate the indices of refraction of the two media, as
well as observe the relationship between speed, frequency and wavelength.

Standards:

NGSS HS-PS4 Use mathematical representations to support a claim
regarding relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and speed
of waves traveling in various media.
HSCE P4.8A Draw ray diagrams to indicate how light reflects off objects or refracts into
transparent media.
HSCE P4.8e Given an angle of incidence and indices of refraction of two materials,
calculate the path of a light ray incident on the boundary (Snells Law).
HAS SSE.A.1 Interpret expressions that represent a quantity in terms of its context. (HS-
PS4-1),(HS-PS4-3)
WHST 9-12.2 Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical
events, scientific procedures/ experiments, or technical processes. (HS-
PS4-5)


Prior Knowledge of Students:
Students should know how to properly use a protractor.
Students should know how to utilize the sine function on a scientific calculator.

Materials Needed:
Glass semi-circle
Empty container semi-circle
Protractor
Ruler
Pencil
Laser (laser-level)
Water
Beaker
Scientific Calculator

Safety:
Students must know not to shine the laser into their own, or others eyes. This will be addressed at
the beginning of the lesson, and the students will also be reminded of the overall classroom safety
plan. Their deviation from the safety plan will result in their removal from the activity.



Pre-laboratory Instructions for Teacher:
Prepare each lab station with one of each media (the glass and the container for water), a
protractor, a laser, and a ruler.

Teachers Notes:
1. Begin lab by passing out a lab packet to each student.
2. Give an overview of equipment that will be used in the experiment, and a brief explanation of
the lab procedures. In the explanation be sure to demonstrate the correct way to measure the
angles of incidence and refraction.
3. Review safety expectations.
4. Have students review lab packet for a few minutes, and answer any questions.
5. Divide students into groups appropriate for the number of stations available.
6. Ensure students are remaining on task by circulating around the room.
7. Once the students have completed the lab, have them put away all materials and clean their
workstation.
8. After the lab gather students to discuss their observations during the lab.

Helpful Information:
Light refraction is a phenomena of changing velocity as light passes from one medium to another,
and is described by Snells Law:

.The variables

, are
respectively the index of refraction of air, the angle of incidence, the index of refraction of the
glass/water, and the angle of refraction.

Overall Lab Objectives:
1. Students will compare the refraction of light through various media and relate this behavior
to the index of refraction of the media.
2. Students will be able to interpret the relationship between velocity, frequency and
wavelength, and apply the formula
3. Students will be able to model light refraction using Snells Law.

Sources
1. Canul, Dr. Yvonne, comp. High School Content Expectations. Publication. Michigan Department of
Education, Oct. 2006. Web. 11 June 2013.
<http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Physics_HSCE__168208_7.pdf>.

2. "HS.Waves and Electromagnetic Radiation | Next Generation Science Standards." HS.Waves and
Electromagnetic Radiation | Next Generation Science Standards. Achieve Inc., 2013. Web. 11 June
2013. <http://www.nextgenscience.org/hsps-wer-waves-electromagnetic-radiation>.

3. "Refraction through a Glass Block." Brockport High School Science Department, Sept. 2010. Web. 2
June 2013. <http://www.frontiernet.net/~jlkeefer/refraction_through_a_glass_block.htm>.

Name:____________________________________________ Date:___________________________

Light Refraction

Please read through the entire packet before beginning the laboratory and ask any questions over details
that may be confusing. Although each team will be working together, individual students must turn in a
copy of the lab report after completion.

Purpose: The purpose of this laboratory is to observe the refraction of light through a medium; measuring
the angle of refraction and calculating the index of refraction for a medium.

Materials Needed:
Glass semi-circle
Empty container semi-circle
Protractor
Ruler
Pencil
Laser (laser-level)
Water
Beaker
Scientific calculator

These materials are provided for you and any misuse of the materials provided will result in a deduction of
points, failure of laboratory or dismissal from the classroom.

Introduction:
When light moves from one transparent medium to another it appears to bend. This bending is called
refraction. Each medium, including air, has a specific index of refraction which will determine the severity
to which the light is bent. This phenomenon is most easily seen in nature when light passes from air into
water.

Engage to learn

Instructions: In this part of the lab you will answer a few questions in your groups. Please work together
quietly as to not disturb other groups.

What does it mean for light to refract?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Can we observe light refraction in all objects? Why or why not?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

What would you expect the index of refraction to be for a mirror? For a wall?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Will 100% of the light that enters into a medium be refracted? If not, what happens to some of the light?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________


Investigate to Comprehend

Instructions: In this part of the lab, you will work in groups shining a laser through a medium at variable
angles and measuring the resultant angle of refraction. The angle of incidence is the angle at which the light
enters the medium and the angle of refraction is the angle at which the light exits the medium.
1. Measure the angle of incidence in reference to the normal line at the intersection of the normal
line and the outline, and draw a line.
2. Place the semi-circle in the outline, making sure to align the straight edge of the semi-circle
with the straight edge of the outline.
3. Shine the laser along the angle line that you drew in step 1.
4. Draw a mark on the line of light exiting the semi-circle.
5. Remove the semi-circle and connect the mark you made with the intersection point.
6. Measure the angle of the line from step 5. This is your angle of refraction.
7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 for both materials at all four angles.

Hypothesize:
In your groups hypothesize about how the angles of refraction may differ between glass and the water.
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Data:
Record your angles of refraction in the table below.

Object/Angle of
Incidence
15 30 45 60
Glass Semi-circle

Water semi-circle


Glass: =15






















Glass: =30















Glass: =45






















Glass: =60
























Water: =15






















Water: =30
























Water: =45






















Water: =60
























Follow up:
How did the actual results compare to your hypothesis? What could account for the similarities or
differences?
________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

Snells Law: Using the Snells Law equation

calculate the index of refraction for

each pair of angles using the index of refraction of air to be 1.


Show a sample calculation here:





Record your calculated indices of refraction in the table below.



Given the accepted index of refraction for glass is 1.50 and for water is 1.33. Calculate your percentage
error using your average indices as your experimental values:


| |

Show sample calculation here:







% error for Glass: _______
% error for Water: ______


Object/Angle of
Incidence
n for =15 n for =30 n for =45 n for =60 Average
Glass Semi-circle
Water semi-
circle

Follow Up:
Were the average indices that you found within 5%error of the accepted indices? If not can you give a
reason?
________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Known:
velocity = frequency * wavelength
frequency remains the same in every medium
the index of refraction = the speed of light/velocity

To find the constant frequency use the velocity of light in air, and the wavelength given on the laser.

Frequemcy:_________

Having found a value for the index of refraction, use that value to calculate a velocity for light in glass and
water. Using the velocity that you calculated, find the wavelength of the light in glass and in water.

Object: Found index of refraction Calculated velocity Calculated Wavelength
Glass: __________

Water: __________


Show sample calculations here:

Velocity:





Wavelength:





Conclude to evaluate:

Why does the wavelength change?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

What causes the light to refract?
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________