102 Lab 9. Reflection and Refraction
102 Lab 9. Reflection and Refraction
102 Lab 9. Reflection and Refraction
Goals
• To explore the reflection of a light ray from a shiny smooth surface.
• To observe and understand how a curved mirror focuses incoming parallel light rays to a
single point.
• To explore the behavior of a light ray as it passes from one transparent medium into another
transparent medium.
• To verify Snell’s Law of refraction for light rays passing from air to PMMA [a plastic also
known as Lucite, Plexiglass, or poly(methyl-methacrylate)] and from PMMA to air.
• To calculate the index of refraction for PMMA from the data.
• To observe the focusing of parallel rays of light by a semi-circular PMMA prism analogous
to a simple lens.
Introduction
The basic behavior of light reflecting off mirror surfaces or passing from one medium to another
is to be investigated. A “ray box” produces one or more thin beams of light that behave much like
the ideal rays used to describe reflection and refraction in the text. Tracing the paths of these rays
as they interact with a mirror or an interface shows the behavior of light in these situations.
By convention the angle of incidence is defined as the angle between the incident ray and the
surface normal—the direction perpendicular to the surface of the mirror or lens. When dealing
with mirrors, the angle of reflection is the angle between the reflected ray and the normal to the
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CHAPTER 9. REFLECTION AND REFRACTION 80
surface of the mirror. When dealing with refraction, the angle of transmission is defined as the
angle between the transmitted ray and the surface normal at that point.
Caution: Avoid putting fingerprints on the surfaces of the optical elements. Handle them by
the edges.
Consequently, the index of refraction for air is essentially 1.00, while the index of refraction of
PMMA is greater than one. It has been predicted and verified by careful experiments that the
incident angle, θi is related to the refracted angle, θr , by:
where ni is the index of refraction of the material for the incident ray and nr is the index of refraction
of the material for the refracted ray. Now use Snell’s Law to determine the index of refraction of
the PMMA. A graph is a good way to do this.
The behavior of the light traveling from air into PMMA is characterized by Snell’s Law, but is
the behavior of light traveling from PMMA into air the same? To test this, put the ray box on the
opposite side of the PMMA semicircle. The incoming ray should enter the PMMA through the
curved side and pass along a radial line to the center (Important!) of the straight side. Here the
ray leaves the PMMA and passes into the air. Again trace rays and measure incident (now in the
PMMA) and refracted (now in the air) angles as before. Do you see any differences? For fairly
large incident angles, what happens to the refracted ray? The effect that you observe is utilized
in optical fiber transmission lines to keep the light from “leaking” out of the fiber. Determine the
index of refraction of the PMMA from this data by plotting the angle of refraction versus the angle
of incidence. Does the index of refraction agree with the value obtained when the ray was incident
on the flat side of the lens?
Summary
Summarize your results and make any final conclusions.
CHAPTER 9. REFLECTION AND REFRACTION 83
No deliberately identified A statement about the A statement about the A statement about the
SL.A.c attempt to use hypothesis validity is hypothesis validity is hypothesis validity is
experimental results to made, but it is not made which is consistent made which is consistent
Is able to validate hypothesis is consistent with the data with the data analysis with the data analysis
determine present in the sections analysis completed in the completed in the and all assumptions are
hypothesis following data collection. experiment experiment. taken into account.
validity Assumptions which
Labs: 4-6, 9 informed the hypothesis
and assumptions not
validated during
experimentation are not
taken into account.
Multiple experimental Predictions made are too Predictions follow from A prediction is made for
CT.A.c trials lack predictions general and could be hypothesis, but are each trial set in the
specific to those taken to apply to more flawed because relevant experiment which
Is able to make individual trial runs. than one trial run. OR experimental follows from the
predictions for Predictions are made assumptions are not hypothesis but is
each trial without connection to the considered and/or hyper-specific to the
during hypothesis identified for prediction is incomplete individual trial runs. The
experiment the experiment. OR or somewhat inconsistent prediction accurately
Labs: 4-6, 9
Predictions are made in a with hypothesis or describes the expected
manner inconsistent with experiment. outcome of the
the hypothesis being experiment and
tested. OR Prediction is incorporates relevant
unrelated to the context assumptions.
of the experiment.
CHAPTER 9. REFLECTION AND REFRACTION 84
No attempt is made to The pattern described is The pattern has minor The patterns represent
QR.B search for a pattern, irrelevant or inconsistent errors or omissions. OR the relevant trend in the
graphs may be present with the data. Graphs are Terms labelled as data. When possible, the
Is able to but lack fit lines present, but fit lines are proportional lack clarity - trend is described in
identify a inappropriate for the data is the proportionality words. Graphs have
pattern in the presented. linear, quadratic, etc. appropriate fit lines with
data graphically Graphs shown have equations and discussion
and appropriate fit lines, but of any data significantly
mathematically no equations or analysis off fit.
of fit quality
Labs: 1-3, 5, 7-9, 12
"Some data required for "Data recorded contains Most of the data is All necessary data has
IL.A the lab is not present at errors such as labeling recorded, but not all of it. been recorded throughout
all, or cannot be found quantities incorrectly, For example the the lab and recorded
Is able to record easily due to poor mixing up initial and measurements are in a comprehensible way.
data and organization of notes. " final states, units are not recorded as numbers Initial and final states are
observations mentioned, etc. " without units. Or data is identified correctly. Units
from the not assigned an are indicated throughout
experiment
identifying variable for the recording of data. All
Labs: 1-12 ease of reference. quantities are identified
with standard variable
identification and
identifying subscripts
where needed.
CHAPTER 9. REFLECTION AND REFRACTION 85
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Print this page. Tear in half. Each lab partner should submit their half along with the lab report and then retain until the end of semester when returned with evaluations indicated by TA.