Experiment 9: Reflection, Refraction, and Total Internal Reflection
Student name: Gerald Mansell
Pre-lab section:
1) Introduction: Explain the theory behind this experiment in a paragraph between
150 and 250 words. (2 Points) In this experiment, we will be observing the physical laws surrounding reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection. Particularly the behavior behind the incident and reflection of light on and through different mediums. When light hits some surface, it is either reflected, refracted, or a combination of both. The angle in which the light contacts the surface (angle of incidence) is equal to that of the angle in which it is reflected (angle of reflection). Different material refracts the remaining light to various degrees depending on the refractive index of the incoming ray and the index of the object itself. The relationship between the angles of refraction is illustrated by the equation: nasinθa = nbsinθb Also known as Snell’s Law. In the exclusive case in which the incident light transfers from a medium of high refractive index to low refractive index and the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle there is no refracted light. All incident light is reflected away from the medium completely.
2) Hypothesis: In an If /Then statement, highlight the purpose of the experiment. (1
point) If we were to compare the refractive index of different mediums i.e. water and air, then the refractive index of water will be greater than that of air. If we were to predict the effect of a concave versus a convex lens, then the concave lens will serve to alleviate near-sightedness and the convex lens will fix far-sightedness.
