C2 Waves in communication

14. Refractive index investigation

KEY IDEA: Measurements of angles of incidence
and refraction can be used to calculate refractive
index.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

You
LO1: MUST use a ray box and Perspex block
to obtain data on angles of refraction
LO2: SHOULD calculate refractive index
using this data.
LO3: COULD calculate the refractive index
from the gradient of a graph of angle of
refraction against angle of incidence.

Refractive Index (n) from

ray diagrams
The angle of incidence, i,
and the angle of
refraction, r, can be used
to calculate the refractive
index using the equation

Refractive
Index
Carry out
your own practical
investigation
of refraction using a light
investigation
ray box and a glass block with parallel
sides.
Mark the path of the rays as they enter
and leave the block and construct the
ray inside the block by joining up the
points of entry and exit.
Measure the angles of the rays.
(Remember: always draw a normal
line perpendicular to the side of the
glass block, and measure the angles

Refractive Index
investigation
Direction
Air to
perspex

Perspex to
air

Sin i

Sin r

Refractive Index from a

graph

Investigating refraction

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Boardworks Ltd 2009

Total internal reflection

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Boardworks Ltd 2009

Finding the critical angle

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Boardworks Ltd 2009