STA. CECILIA CATHOLIC SCHOOL FOUNDATION, INC.

Canlubang, Calamba City

SCIENCE 10 THIRD QUARTER
LEARNING MODULE 10 REFRACTION OF LIGHT
Name: Magsino, Leslie Anne D. Teacher: Maribel Zaide Delfin
INTRODUCTION
Light travels at a constant speed of 3 x 108 m/s in an empty space or vacuum. But if light passes through a
transparent material such as water or glass, it will change its speed; in fact, it will slow down. This change in
speed will cause the light ray to be bent or refracted. This bending of light is responsible for a range of optical
phenomena such as rainbows, twinkling of stars, apparent shallowing of water in a pond, and seeing the same
fish in a fish tank in two different places.
In this module, we will study the conditions needed for light to be refracted, instead of being reflected or
transmitted without being bent. You will also learn the rules of refraction and how to determine a material’s
index of refraction. Finally, we will study how spherical lenses use refraction to produce images.
Our learning objectives for this module are as follows:

 define refraction and explain its effects

 state and explain the laws of refraction
 differentiate converging lens from diverging lens
 draw ray diagrams and characterize images formed by lenses.

Pre-test Day 1
To assess how much you already know about refraction, answer the questions below. Try to find the right
answers as you go through this module.
1. Refraction is the
a. bouncing of light off a surface c. absorption of light by a material
b. bending of light as it hits a boundary d. a or b
2. Compared to speed of light in air, the speed of light in glass is
a. lesser b. greater c. the same d. cannot be known
3. Which is known as a diverging lens?
a. concave lens b. convex lens c. plane lens d. b or c
4. When light passes into a denser material, the ray is
a. bent toward the normal line c. totally reflected
b. bent away from the normal line d. transmitted without being bent
5. The image formed by a concave lens is
a. always real b. always virtual c. always inverted d. always enlarged
6. For a given lens, the height of image over the height of object (hi/ho) is equal to
a. aperture b. focus c. magnification d. radius
7. What is the angle of incidence?
a. angle between incident ray and refracted ray c. angle between incident ray and normal line
b. angle between incident ray and surface d. b or c
8. Light travels slow in a material with
a. high refractive index c. refractive index equal to 1
b. low refractive index d. refractive index less than 1
9. Which lens is thicker in the middle than in the edges?
a. concave b. convex c. biconcave d. a or c

10. A fish swimming in a pond looks shallower because light rays that travel through water are
a. absorbed b. bent c. bounced d. all of the above
 Page 2

Activity 1. Refraction of Light Day 1

Watch the video clip below and read the file Sci 10 refract (1126 KB) to learn about
refraction of light.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5SuSB_93FM
Refraction of Light by Don’t Memorise (3:25 minutes)

Exercise 1. (10 points)

Based on the above video and the pdf file, answer the following questions:

1. What happens when light strikes the surface of a) an opaque object and b) a transparent object?
As light travels and strikes a surface, there are three things that might occur: the light will be reflected, the
light will be absorbed, or the light will be refracted or transmitted. In the case of opaque objects, the light can
both be reflected and absorbed and converted to thermal energy or heat. For instance, an opaque object like
a mirror reflects light and opaque objects like wood and stone just absorb the light that hit on them. On the
flip side, when light strikes the surface of a transparent object the light will be transmitted. That being said,
transparent materials such as water and glass let light pass through them.

2. What is refraction of light?

Refraction of light is simply the bending of light as it reaches from one medium to another. Refraction occurs
because of the changes in the speed of light when it shifts medium. For representation, when a light wave
travels from a fast medium (air) to a slow medium (water), it slows down which prompts the change in
direction or angle as it resumes to travel.

3. Differentiate incident medium from refractive medium.

In order for the refraction of light to occur, there are two classifications of the medium that should be
incorporated: incident medium and refractive medium. The incident medium is the material from which the
light strikes in an incident manner whilst the refractive medium is the medium from which the actual
refraction occurs. For instance, when light travels from air to water it is refracted, in such case, the incident
medium is the air and the refractive medium is the water.

4. What is the normal line?

The normal line is the line drawn perpendicular to the surface or boundary from which refraction occurs. It is
the line that is drawn 90 degrees to the surface at the point of incidence. This is an imaginary line that
distinguishes the angle of incidence and angle of refraction from one another.

5. Distinguish angle of incidence from angle of refraction.

The angle of incidence can be interpreted as the angle between an incident ray and the line perpendicular to
the surface (normal line). Basically, the angle that is created by incident ray and normal line. Comparably,
the angle between refracted ray and normal line is defined as the angle of refraction. Therefore, it is in
between a refracted ray and a normal line.

Activity 2. Index of Refraction Day 2

Optical density describes how fast or slow light waves travel through a substance with a high optical density
indicating low speed of light. The optical density of a material can be determined using its index of refraction n
which is the ratio of speed of light in a vacuum (c) to speed of light in the material (v). n = c
v
To learn more about refraction and refractive index, read the article in the link below:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html Refraction of Light by HyperPhysics

Also read your book Lesson 6.1, pp. 114-116, and the file Sci 10 ref index (666 KB).
Exercise 2. (10 points)
Solve the following problems on index of refraction. Show your solutions and indicate units of measurement.
Encircle your final answer.

1. Optical fibers are mainly composed of silica with an index of refraction of 1.44. How fast does light travel
along an optical silica fiber?

Given: n = 1.44 c = 3 × 108 m/s

Find: v

c
Formula: n=
v

3 × 108 m/ s
Solution: v= = 2.08 ×108 m/s
1.44

2. Light travels through the mineral halite, commonly known as rock salt, at a speed of 1.94 x 10 8 m/s.
Calculate the index of refraction of halite.

Given: v = 1.94 ×10 8 m/ s c = 3 ×108 m/s

Find: n

c
Formula: n=
v

3× 108 m/s 150

Solution: n= = = 1.5
1.94 × 108 m/s 97

Activity 3. Snell’s Law Day 3

As light passes from one type of material to another, it is bent (refracted) according to Snell’s law:
n1 sin1 = n2 sin2 n1 = refractive index of incident medium 1 = angle of incidence
n2 = refractive index of refractive medium 2 = angle of refraction
When light strikes an interface at a critical angle, it appears to emerge between the surfaces of the two
materials. If the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle, no refraction occurs. Instead, light will
undergo total internal reflection. Read more about the laws of refraction in your book Lesson 6.1, pp. 117-121,
and in the file Sci 10 Snell (1016 KB).

Exercise 3. (20 points)

Solve the following problems using Snell’s law. Show your solutions and indicate units of measurement.
Encircle your final answer.

1. A light ray travels through water (n =1.33) towards the boundary with a transparent solid at an incident angle
of 56.4°. The light refracts into the solid at an angle of refraction of 42.1°. Determine a) the index of
refraction of the solid; and b) the speed of light in the solid.

Given: n1 =1.33 θ1=56.4 ° θ2=42.1 °

A. Find: n2

Formula: n1 sin θ1=n 2 sin θ2

n 1 sin θ1 1.33 ×sin 56.4 ° 1.33× 0. 833

Solution: n2 = = n2 = = = 1.65
sin θ2 sin 42.1° 0.67
 Given: n1 =1.65 c = 3 × 108 m/s

B. Find: v

c
Formula: n=
v

3 × 108 m/ s
Solution: v= = 1.8 ×108 m/s
1.65

2. a) What is the critical angle for the boundary of diamond (n = 2.42) and water (n = 1.33)?

b) What will happen to light if it strikes the boundary at an angle of incidence of 25?

A. Given: n1 =2.42 n2 =1.33 θ2=90 °

Find: critical angle (θc )

Formula: n1 sin θc =n 2 sin θ2

Solution: n1 sin θc =n 2 sin 90 °

1.33 ×1.00 1.33
sin θc = = = 0.5496
2.42 2.42

θc = 33. 34 °

B. Given: n1 =2.42 n2 =1.33 θ1=25°

Find: θ2

Formula: n1 sin θ1=n 2 sin θ2

n1 sin θ1
Solution: sin θ2=
n2
2.42× sin 25° 2.42× 0.42 363
sin θ2 = = = = 0.7642
1.33 1.33 475

θ2=49.84 °

Activity 4. Spherical Lenses Day 4

A lens is a glass or transparent material that uses refraction to form an image. A spherical lens has two
refracting surfaces that can either be plane or curved. Different types of images can be formed by spherical
lenses depending on the distance of object from the lens.
Read about spherical lenses in your book Lesson 6.2–6.3, pp. 122-125; in the files Sci 10 lens (917 KB), Sci
10 ref rules (690 KB), Sci 10 convex ray (697 KB) and Sci 10 concave ray (886 KB); and in the article in the
link: https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn Refraction and Lenses by the Physics Classroom.
Exercise 4. (10 points)

Draw light ray diagrams to locate the image for each lens. Describe the images formed in each case.

Image Description:
1. Orientation upright

2. Type virtual
 Image Description:
1. Orientation inverted

2. Type real
image

3. Size reduced

4. Location between F
and 2F;
opposite
side of
lens

Activity 5. Lens Equation

Equations used to obtain numerical information about images formed by lenses are the same as the equations
used for mirrors.
1 + 1 = 1 M = hi = - di
do di f ho do

Read more about the lens and magnification equations in your book Lesson 6.3, p. 126; in the pdf file
Sci 10 lens eq (899 KB); and in the article in the link below:

https://sciencing.com/measure-magnification-mirror-7634785.html
Forms of Magnification Equations by Sciencing.

Exercise 5. (10 points)

Solve the following problems using the lens and magnification equation. Show your solutions and indicate units
of measurement. Encircle your final answer.

1. A 4.0-cm tall light bulb is placed a distance of 45.0 cm from a double convex lens having a focal length of
15.0 cm. Determine a) the image distance and b) the image height.

Given: f =15.0 cm d o =45.0 cm h o=4.0 cm

A. Find: d i

1 1 1
Formula: + =
do di f

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3−1 2 d i 45
Solution: + = – = − – = = – = – d i = 22.5 cm
45 d i 15 d i 15 45 d i 45 45 1 2

B. Find: hi

hi −d i
Formula: =
ho d o

hi −22.5 45 hi −90
Solution: = – 45 h i=−22.5(4) – = – hi =−2 cm
4 45 45 45
2. A double concave lens has a focal length of -10.8 cm. A 5.0-cm tall object is placed 32.7 cm from the lens'
surface. Determine a) the image distance and b) the image height.

Given: f =−10.8 cm d o =32.7 cm h o=5.0 cm

A. Find: d i

1 1 1
Formula: + =
do di f

1 1 1 1 −1 1 −725 d i 5886
Solution: + = – = − = – = –
32.7 d i −10.8 d i 10.8 32.7 5886 1 −725
d i=−8.1 cm

B. Find: hi

hi −d i
Formula: =
ho d o

hi −(−8.1) 32.7 hi 40.5

Solution: = – 32.7 hi =8.1(5) – = – hi =1.2cm
5 32.7 32.7 32.7

Activity 6. Performance Task Day 6

For this activity you will need the following materials:
 tall empty clear glass  water  plastic ruler

Exercise 6. (30 points)

1. Place the ruler inside the empty clear glass. Look at the ruler through the clear glass and describe what you
see.
Looking into the ruler through the clear empty glass, all I can recognize is a clear image of the ruler. No
alterations in its shape; it has the same orientation. Although, I would not say that the ruler is as clear as it
appears outside the glass, however, the blurriness is barely observable unless you stare at it and thoroughly
compare the ruler's image inside and outside the empty clear glass. Ultimately, the its appearance did not
change at all when one is staring through the glass.
2. With the ruler still inside the glass, pour water into the glass until glass is 2/3 full. Look at the ruler through
the glass and water. Describe what you see.
After pouring water into the glass, I can immediately tell that the appearance of the ruler altered in just a
glance. The ruler appeared to me as if it is zoomed in. There is a magnification that transpired that is
extremely evident especially if you face the ruler to you. Moreover, the ruler's image under the water was
precise enough that I can detect the measurements it states. Indeed, the ruler's appearance was more
obvious and magnified when looking through the glass with water in it.

3. Compare the part of the ruler inside the water and the part of the ruler outside the water.
The distinction between the appearance of the ruler inside the water and outside the water is noticeable.
Primarily, their sizes differ. The part of the ruler outside the water has the same size while the section inside
the water comes off larger like it is somehow enlarged. Secondarily, the image was clearer inside the water
than the other part, to the point wherein I can see the measurements further. Perhaps, the magnification that
occurred caused the image to seem more detailed. Last but not least, the ruler seemed broken if I look at the
image completely. The wider effect of the image made it appear somehow cracked. All things considered,
the part of the ruler outside the water seem unfocused and contained the typical size of the ruler. On the
other hand, the section inside the water simply came off clearer, more precise, and bigger than the ordinary
size of a ruler.
4. Did the appearance of the ruler change when placed in water? Why or why not?
Yes, after conducting the said activity, I can assert that there was a change that transpired when the ruler
was placed in water. The appearance of the ruler altered because of what we call, refraction of light.
Because of the sudden alteration in medium --- from air to water, the light path is bent, and refraction takes
place at the boundary. The light proceeds on traveling in a straight line after passing the boundary but the
direction is altered. As the medium changes, the direction and speed of light shifts too. This clarifies why
there is a visual distortion that occurred. This visual distortion transpired because refraction happened when
the light travels from water to air before it reaches your eyes. While no refraction went on when you stare at
the ruler outside the water since light did not change any medium. However, you can say that it did shift
medium -- from air to glass to air, once again. But, due to the thin material of glass and the light started and
ended in the air; just a minor divergence arose. To briefly paraphrase, the appearance of the ruler altered
when it was placed in water because of the refraction of light.

Activity 7. Post-test Day 6

To assess your understanding of refraction of light, answer selected questions in your book as indicated below.

Exercise 7.

A. Multiple Choice. Answer numbers 1-15, pp. 129-130. (15 points)

1. B. eclipse
2. B. It is refracted away from the normal
3. B. inverted
4. D. total internal reflection
5. A. ray 1 only
6. B. ray 2 only
7. B. real, inverted, reduced
8. D. 90°
9. B. 2
10. C. 1.5
11. B. 2 ×108 m/s
12. A. 19.5 °
13. C. 41.8 °
14. B. the size of the object is half the size of the image
15. D. virtual but smaller than the object

BONUS: DO NOT ANSWER B. CRITICAL THINKING.

B. Critical Thinking. Answer numbers 6 and 7, p.131. (10 points)