Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

Geometric Optics Practical DRAFT

Group Members: []

Aim: The aim of this investigation is to estimate the refractive index of Perspex using
white light, as well as investigating dispersion of white light through a prism.

Commented [KS1]: You werent estimating, you

calculated

Apparatus:

Materials:

Light box
Electricity box
Single slit card
Blank white paper
Protractor
Ruler
Pencil

Variables:

Independent Variable: Angle of incidence

Dependent Variable: Angle of refraction

Procedure:
1. Place the light box on top of the blank white paper, and insert the narrow single
slit card at the rear end of the light box (keeping all the windows closed.)
2. Plug the light box into the electricity box and turn to 12 volts.
3. Place the trapezoid in front of the ray of light, and adjust until the angle () of
the emerging ray is as large and clear as possible; and the ray separates into
colours.
a) What colour do you see? In What order are they? When the ray separated
into colours, a rainbow formed which had red on the right, then orange,
yellow, green, purple then blue on the left.
b) Which colour is refracted at the largest angle? The blue was refracted at
the largest angle.
c) According to Snells Law and the information given about the frequency
dependence of the index of refraction for acrylic, which colour is predicted
to refract at the largest angle? The colour blue is predicted to refract at the
largest angle as it has the highest refraction value.
4. Without moving the trapezoid, trace around it and mark where the rays are.
Once done, remove the trapezoid and join the lines to show the exact
representation on what happened to the light ray when it hit the trapezoid.

Commented [KS2]: Which is what? And how do you

find/calculate this?

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

5. Then work out the angles, and find the refractive index using the formula:
=
It is good to do multiple trials, then work out the average to get a more
accurate result.
6. Without repositioning the light source, use the filters included in the light box to
select the three primary colour rays. The coloured rays should enter the
trapezoid at the same angle that the white ray did. Do the coloured rays
emerge at the same angle as each other? Why or why not?

Commented [KS3]: Is this from the task sheet?

Each member of the group should have their own measurements and diagrams of
the trapezoid, in which they will measure the angles and determine the refractive
index.
Note: As the light boxes windows will be closed; allowing the one slit of white light
through, the light box will get quite hot therefor do not place anything near the box.
Once completed the practical, avoid touching as it will be hot, then let the box cool
down before placing back in its box.

Commented [KS4]: Good safety consideration

Results:
(Diagrams of Perspex taken from Diana, Josh and Lachlans group)

Angle of Incidence
(Degrees)
47
50
31

Angle of Refraction
(Degrees)
30
30
20

Refractive Index Value

Commented [KS5]: Where are your calculations?

1.463
1.488
1.506

Average Refractive index of Perspex:

1.463 + 1.463 +1.506 +1.506 + 1.488 + 1.488
6
= 1.486

Commented [KS6]: Why is there two of each refractive

index value?

Commented [KS7]: How did you calculate this

Critical Angle:
11 = 22
Perspex x Sin (ic) = Air Sin 90
1.486 x Sin (ic) = 1.0003 x Sin 90
Sin (ic) = 1.0003 x Sin90
1.486
Sin (ic) = 0.6731
Critical Angle (ic) = Sin 11 (0.6731)
= 42.30677754

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

= 420

Analysis:
As a result of this practical, it was found that the Critical Angle of Perspexs is
420 ; and the Average refractive index is 1.486. To get a more accurate result,
three different measures of the Perspex were taken, both refraction values of
the incidence and refraction rays were taken from all diagrams, and all the
results were added together and divided by the number of results to find the
average refractive index for Perspexs.
The smallest angle where total internal reflection occurs is called the critical
angle, and in Perspex, the actual angle is at roughly 430. Whilst, the actual
value for the refractive index of Perspex is 1.497. Comparing to the results to
the ones calculated during this practical, the Critical angle was only 10 off,
and the refractive index was only 0.011 off the actual critical angle and
refractive index of Perspexs.
Percentage Error:

Commented [KS8]: Good! You should write your other

calculations like this (or at least a sample)

Commented [KS9]: This should be with the calculating the

average refractive index value
Commented [KS10]: Not quite its the tipping point
between total internal reflection and refraction but at the
critical angle it is still refracting
Commented [KS11]: Researched? Accepted?
Commented [KS12]: If this value is researched it should
have a proper value, not roughly
Commented [KS13]: This should be after the percentage
error

Refractive Index
% =

# #
100
#

% =

1.497 1.486
100
1.497

% Error = 0.73480294
= 0.73% Error
Critical Angle
% =

# #
100
#

% Error =

43 42
X 100
43

% Error = 2.3255814
= 2.33% Error

There are different possibilities as to why the results are not exactly the same as
the actual ones, and these are the Random and systematic errors. These are
things which include inaccurate tracing, as it was a little difficult to mark
exactly where the rays were coming in and out; which would change the
results. As well as inaccurate readings on the protractor, and the fact that the
light beams were thicker than the pencil line drewdrawn, the angle would not
be exact. For a systematic error, if the light box itself was not functioning
properly and not producing the correct light beam, it would throw off the
results.

Commented [KS14]: Good also the protractors and

rulers

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

According to Snells law; Because the index of refraction or light varies with
the frequency of the light, white light that enters the materials, at an angle
other than 0, will separate into its component colours. This explain how the
colours had formed when the white light hit the trapezoid during this practical.
Snells law also explains that the Blue light refracts the most, than the yellow
light, and finally the red light. Comparing this to the results found in the
practical, the law was proven correct; as the blue light refracted at the largest
angle of 40 , the red at the lowest angle of 35 , and the yellow at an angle
somewhere in between.
Group results

Example of what it looked like.

With the Red light on the left and Blue on
the right.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/guides/mtr/opt/mch/refr/gifs/more2.gif

For future practicals, when tracing the diagram; using a pen that is closer to
the thickness of the light beam would be dependable, as then the angles
and the calculations to the refractive index and critical angle would be
closer to that of the real refractive index and critical angle. As well maybe
putting in more dots to show where the rays are coming in and out, so when
it is ruled up to make the complete diagram; it will be more accurate.

Commented [KS15]: Wouldnt the other way around

work better? IE making the light beam narrower?

Conclusion:
The aim of this investigation was to estimate the refractive index of Perspex
and look at the spreading of white light through a prism, both of the aims
were fur filled throughout this practical. It was measured that the refractive
index was 1.486, and from that the critical angle was able to be determined.
It was also discovered that when white light is shun through a prism; it
spreads out into a rainbow, with blue being the colour which refracted the
greatest, confirming Snells law.
Suggestions:
-

Since you have a table, you could consider a graph

Where are the questions from the analysis section of the practical
instructions?

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