Analysis

In this experiment, we were tasked to determine how light bends when passing through a

transparent medium with a constant density. We were given glass plates, pins and a diode laser to

aid us in our experiment. In the first part, we were to determine the index of refraction by using

the glass place and pins. This part has two subparts with one starting from glass to air, and the

other one starting from air to glass. The procedures were mostly the same with the goal of

aligning the pins in a single line when looking underneath. After aligning the pins, we then draw

lines from the center to the radius passing through the points where the pins were placed. Then

we measure the distance of the points on the circle perpendicular to the normal line. For the first

subpart, the lower line perpendicular to the normal line was divided by the upper line

perpendicular to the normal line to get the index of refraction of the glass. In the second subpart,

the upper line was divided by the lower line to get the index of refraction of the glass. The

computed data were 1.5 and 1.51 which had a maximum percentage error of 1.32 percent.

In the second part, a laser pointer was used and directed to a glass plate until such time

where it exits the glass perpendicular to the top side of the glass. Then we draw a right triangle

with the hypotenuse from the entry point to the exit point. The critical angle is between the

hypotenuse and the height EU. To solve for the angle, we use the identity tan ø = opp/adj, the

angle then is equal to the inverse tangent of MU/EU. Our EU was 60.5 cm while our MU was

52.5cm and the computed angle was 40.95 degrees with a percentage error of 0.46%.
Conclusion

In this experiment, we were able to see the refraction of light through pins and glass

plates. In placing the pins and graphing them, you can see clearly that the line is bended at the

center of the graph where as the angle of incidence is different from the angle of refraction. In

the first graph, the sine of the angle of incidence is greater than the sine of the angle of refraction

while the index of refraction from the first medium (air, 1) is less than the computed index of the

second medium (glass, 1.51). This proves Snell’s law that states n1sin ø1 = n2sin ø2. The index of

refraction is inversely proportional with the angle of refraction.

In the last part, we were able to see the critical angle was found out to be 40.95 degrees

with 0.46% error by using Snell’s Law. This is the maximum angle of incidence where light can

refract and when the angle exceeds, the light ray would just be reflected. Also, in this angle, the

angle of refraction would be 90 degrees from the normal line.

For the future performers of the experiment, I would suggest that they bring a good

quality laser or light source with a visible ray. This would make the last part easier and more

accurate. Also, for the first part, I would suggest that they photocopy the data sheets so that if

they make mistakes, they can do another trial.