SNC2D

Refraction of Light – Measuring the Speed of Light

Laboratory Experiment
Use a pencil and ruler to draw the following on the empty page included.

Conduct the experiment

1. Position the laser ray box outside the measuring circle of page 2 (on the top side of the page).
The light projected from the ray box should pass through the required angles (0°, 30°, 40°, 50°,
60°) as well as the point in the centre of the circle.
2. Place the semicircular vessel containing water on the page so that the plane surface is aligned
with the solid line in the centre of the page.
3. On the page, mark the point in which the beam of light is seen exiting the curved side of the
vessel containing the water
4. Remove the vessel and the laser ray box.

Make a ray diagram

1. Draw the incident ray by connecting the centre of the circle with the point on the circle that
indicated the angle.
2. Draw a refracted ray by connecting the centre of the circle to the marked point from step 3
above. Extend this line so it passes outside the measuring circle.

Measure, record, share, and calculate!

1. Measure and record the incident angle and the angle of refraction in the table provided
(Results and Observations on the next page). Share the results with your group partners to
complete results for each of the indicated angles.
2. Each group-member completes one of the required angles indicated in the table and shares
with the other members of the group.
3. Complete the required calculations also noted in the table.

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Use this page, with the measuring circle below, to conduct the lab.

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Results and Observations
∠𝑖 sin ∠𝑖
∠𝑖 ∠r sin∠ 𝑖 sin∠r
∠𝑟 sin ∠𝑟

0°

30°

40°

50°

60°

Note: When using the trigonometric functions of your calculator, make sure you are in the “degrees” (deg)
mode.

1. What happens when the incident ray hits the medium with an angle of 0° to the normal?







2. In the experiment conducted, is the ray of light transmitted within the water an incident ray
or a refracted ray? Explain your answer.

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3. From the calculations made from your results and observations (see table above), what
conclusions can you make?

Final Analysis
4. Calculate the your experimental index of refraction of water (find the average of the far right
column on the observations table).

5. Use this value to calculate the speed of light in water