Introduction to Reflection and Refraction

Objective:
 The purpose of this experiment is to analyze the behavior of light as it travels from one medium to another, and to find the relationship between the index of refraction, the incident angle, and the refraction angle.

 Data:

graph:

The slope of this graph (1.5192) represents the ratio of index of refraction between the plastic and the air. Since the index of refraction of air is 1, we can conclude that the index of refraction of air is 1.5192

Part 2

Data can only be collected up to 40o because there is a critical angle at around 45o that would cause the ray to be totally internally reflected as shown.

 

    Data:

Grapg:



 

 

Conclusion: The ratio between the sine of the incident and the refracted angle is proportional to the ratio between the index of refraction of the two mediums at which light travels. This relationship is expressed in the Snell's Law:

n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂

From the data gathered on part 1 and part, we can also conclude that the index of refraction of the plastic is around 1.5