LAB # 2

REFRACTION
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Contents
1. Abstract.............................................................................................2
2. Introduction.......................................................................................2
3. Theory................................................................................................2
4. Experimental Procedure..................................................................3
I. Snell’s Experimental Law..............................................................3
II. Apparent depth measurements....................................................4
III. Observation of refraction of laser light.....................................4
IV. Observation and measurement of total internal reflection.....4
V. The Light Guide.............................................................................5
VI. Laser beam expander.................................................................5
5. Experimental Results.......................................................................5
I. Snell’s Experimental law...............................................................5
II. Observation of refraction of laser light:......................................6
6. Calculation........................................................................................7
7. Discussion and Analysis.................................................................9
8. Conclusion......................................................................................10
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LAB # 2
REFRACTION

1. Abstract
The experiment performed examines the refraction of light by
using different sets of experiments to determine the factor that affects
it. The procedure for the smell’s law has been examined and index of
materials has been examined by using the angle of incidence and angle
of refraction. Similarly, the other experiments such as apparent depth
measurement also gives a very clear way to observe the behaviour of
light in two different mediums. This method tells us how the behaviour
of light changes with the change of medium. The laser beam expander
by using the optical box also tells us how the laser light expands in the
presence of optical fibre and how they are useful in the field of optics.

2. Introduction
When light travels from one medium to another medium it
bends through some angle, this bending of light is called refraction. In
optics reflection is a very important process and through this behaviour
we can find the index of different materials and also their total internal
reflection. In these experiments we will observe the index and total
internal reflection by using the laser beam. We also observe the
refraction process by using fibre optics and some prisms.

3. Theory
As we know that refraction is the bending of light when it travels
from one medium to another medium. Whenever the light bends there
is some difference in the angle of incidence and angle of refraction. The
process of refraction was observed by ancient Greeks but its proper
theory and mathematics was given by English mathematician Thomas
Harriot which is known as Snell’s law. This law is given as:
sin θi
n=
sinθ i
¿
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Her n is the index of the material and θi is the incidence angle of

the light where θi is the angle of refraction where light refracts at some
¿

angle. Another relation of Snell’s law for two mediums is given as:
n1 sin θ1=n 2 sin θ2
Here n1∧n2 are t h e index of two material θ1 isthe angle of incidence when light travels ¿
First medium while θ2is the angle of refraction when light travels
into the second medium. This relation tells us that the speed of light
changes when it travels from one medium to another medium. The
speed of light in denser medium is less than the rare medium. For
example, the speed of light in air is greater than the speed of light in
water. The mathematical relation is given as:
n=(speed of lig h t∈vacuum/ speed of lig h t ∈medium)
n=c /v
Another process which occurs during this process is total
internal reflection, in this process when light waves reach interference
from one medium to another medium it does not refract into another
medium but it totally reflects back into the first medium. This process is
very important in the optical fibres. In this experiment we will observe
the refraction and total internal reflection by using the laser beam, the
wooden block and some other related materials.

4. Experimental Procedure

I. Snell’s Experimental Law

For the observation of the Snell’s law, we have taken the
wooden block and attached the A3 sheet of paper with pins. Then on
the paper we have drawn the diagram opposite to the aid of our
protector. Then we have located the diagram in the top left quarter of
the sheet. Now we draw a long cross, marking the interface and the
normal. Prick holes on the paper every 100 round the edge of the
protractor, with the centre of the protractor exactly over the
intersection of the normal and the interface.
Then we placed an upright pin at the centre position. Place the
refracting block with its edge parallel to the interface line. Place
another pin upright in one of the pinprick holes corresponding to a
known value of angle of the incidence i. Then by placing two more pins
and drawing the lines we have measured the angle of refraction of the
ray of light. The record the whole data in the data table.
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II. Apparent depth measurements

In this method we have performed the apparent depth
measurement to find the refractive index of the material. Such as
n= real depth/ apparent depth
In this method we took a block of glass and observed the real
depth and apparent depth by changing the sides of the block.

III. Observation of refraction of laser light

First of all, we erect the A4 sized board in the slot at the end of
the base on which the laser is mounted, with a sheet of graph paper
pinned to it. Then we filled the 50 ml beaker with water and placed it
on the platform so that the laser shines onto it. Now we have looked
down from above the beaker at the laser beam and observed the beam
travelling through the water. Then we slid the beaker from side to side
and observed the changing refraction of the beam.
Now we have replaced the beaker of water by the rectangular
Perspex block, laid flat with its clear face upwards. Then we shine the
laser in along the long edge and observe from above the laser beam
crossing the block and emerging with a sideways shift that depends on
the twist of the block. Then we lift the block for a moment and mark
on the graph paper the position of the direct beam. Now we replaced
the block so that the angle of incidence of the laser beam is 45°. Then
we measured the sideways shift of the beam.

IV. Observation and measurement of total internal reflection

To observe the total internal reflection first of all we placed the
Perspex protector with the prism on it on the baseboard and then
placed the wooden ply board with holes on it in front of the laser
beam. Whenever we move the protector, we observe the movement of
the laser beam at different angles.
Then we observed the zero reading of the laser beam by
adjusting the prism and protector at the exact same position on the
board. Through this Perspex we have observed the refraction on the A4
sheet and observe that with the changing in the movement of the block
the angle of refraction also changes and a point reaches where the light
does not show any angle of refraction and completely reflected back,
shows the total internal reflection pattern.
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V. The Light Guide

First of all, the length of the optical light guide is fitted in a
wooden block. Now we place the block on the inclined ramp in front of
the laser and slide it around until the laser beam strikes the centre of
the guide. Then we looked with the aid of a sheet of white paper, at the
light emerging from the other end. We have noticed that when we
move the optic fibre wire the laser beam moves in that direction
parallel to the beam of the laser.

VI. Laser beam expander

First of all, we have put the sliding black block onto the laser
assembly and sat the beam expander on it. Now we adjust the position
until the beam is shining through cleanly and clearly. On the graph
paper, mark the edges of the expanded beam with a pen, then remove
the paper and measure the diameter of the mark that has been made.
The initial beam size is about 1mm diameter
Now we put the light meter into the expanded laser beam. We
have noticed that the laser beam expands when we place the laser
beam expander.

5. Experimental Results

I. Snell’s Experimental law

Data Table
i (degrees) 1.0sin i i´ (degrees) sin i´
00 0 00 0
100 0.173 70 0.121
200 0.342 110 0.191
300 0.5 190 0.326
400 0.642 310 0.515
500 0.766 470 0.731
Data Plot:
'
sin i ( vertically )vs 1.0 sin i
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𝑠𝑖𝑛i' 𝑣𝑠 1.0𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑖
0.8
0.7
0.6 f(x) = 0.908187027770933 x − 0.0527561947148285
R² = 0.941991027039456
0.5
0.4
𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑖^

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
1.0𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑖

we know index is given as:

1 1
Index= = =1.1
slope 0.9082
Since the refractive index of block is:
Refractiveindex of block=¿1.1

Apparent depth measurements:

Real dept h=1.56 cm
Apparent dept h=1.2 cm
Now index can be found as:
real dept h
n=
apparent dept h
1.4
n=
1.1
n=1.2

II. Observation of refraction of laser light:

Widt h of block=48 mm
Observed si d eway s h ift=1.6 mm

6. Calculation
By using the Snell’s law:
'
sin i =nsini
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' −1
i =si n (1.2× sin 45)
i ' =58.1 o
Now to calculate the width of block;
'
sin (i −i)
w=
cos i '
sin (58.1−45)
w=
cos 58.1
sin 13.1
w=
cos 58.1
w=42.8 mm
Difference:

difference=
| w obs |
wobs −w cal
× 100 %

difference= | 48−42.8
48 |
× 100 %

difference=0.10× 100 %
difference=10 %

Observation and measurement of total internal reflection:

Data Table:

Initial Protractor Difference in Refractive

Trial protracto angle when protractor index of
r angle spot angles = icrit Perspex
disappears n=1/sin i crit
1 90 133.5 43.5 1.45
2 90 135.5 45.5 1.40
3 90 134 44 1.43

Overall calculation of refractive index:

By eye: 1.40
By laser: 1.42
Calculation for index:
Data Table:
For the measurement of the incidence angle:

y d i n uncertaint
trial (mm) (mm) eq (6) eq (5) y
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in n
1 3.8 1.3 9.38 1.58 0.16
2 3.6 1.2 9.13 1.57 0.15

Calculation for incidence angle:

i=0.5 ta n5−1 ( y /d)

trail 1:
i=0.5 ta n−1 (1.3/3.8)
i=0.5 ta n−1 (0.34)
o
i=9. 38

trail 2:
−1
i=0.5 ta n (1.2/3.6)
i=0.5 ta n−1 (0.33)
o
i=9.1 3

Calculation for index:

2
n =1+ ¿

Trail 1:
2
n =1+ ¿
2
n =1+ 1.51
2
n =2.51
n=1.58

Trail 1:
2
n =1+ ¿
2
n =1+ 1.49
2
n =2.49

VI. Laser beam expander:

Observed expansionratio=20 :1
Expected beam expansionratio=16.1
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7. Discussion and Analysis

In this lab we have performed different experiments related to
the refraction of light, laser beam expansion and light guide. First of all,
we have observed the behaviour of light using the Snell’s law and
noticed that the angle of incidence is greater than the angle of
refraction. By using these values, we have plotted the plot and noticed
a straight-line curve. From the graph we have found slope and then
index of the material. Next, we observe the apparent depth of light and
find the index which comes out 1.2. In the next part we have found the
refraction of light by finding the width of the block and then observing
the behaviour of light. The width we have found is 42.8mm which is 10
% different from the actual value of the block’s width.
In the next step we have observed the total internal reflection of
the laser beam. First of all, we have to find the initial angle of the
protector and then find the protector angle where spots disappear.
Now by taking the difference between both of the angels we have
found the refractive index of the light beam. We have performed this
experiment for three trials and found that the value of refractive index
through the eye is 1.40 and the value of refractive index through laser
beam is 1.42. Both of these values have minor differences with each
other that means the total internal reflection calculation is in
accordance with the observed values.
In the next step we have found the index of the light beam by
finding the distance of light beam y and width distance d. By using
these values, we have calculated the incidence angles and then
calculate the refractive index by using the formula. We performed two
different trials and noticed that the value of n is 1.58 and 1.57.
Finally, the calculated results for the observation ratio through
the simple refractive telescope gave a slightly smaller magnification
ratio than what was observed. More than likely this was because of the
environment in which the experiment was conducted. The telescope
itself was of very similar design to a Galilean telescope; a simple two
lens refracting telescope.

8. Conclusion
From this whole experiment we can conclude that the Snell’s
law is proved very well and the values of the refraction and incidence
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angle we obtained also did a great work and the value of index
obtained are also in the accordance. Similarly, the other experiments
such as apparent depth and total internal reflection of the laser beam
light are also proved very well.
There may be some issues in performing the experiment and
obtaining the results due to the effect of the environment. Similarly,
the experiment of laser beam expander also did a great work and this
application is very useful in optical fibre which is very common and
useful in internet services. Similarly, the other applications of the
refraction are also very useful in the field of optics, laser and light.