Lab physics

Laboratory simulation: Refraction
Name:______SummerAbdullah______________________________ Class:______12G________

Learning goals
Familiarize with simulations of physical processes.
Log raw data and plot graphs.
Partially familiarize with the scientific method (phenomenon, prediction, experiment, and conclusion).
Derive the dependence of the angle of refraction on the angle of incidence and the index of refraction.

Simulation used
“Refraction of light” (“bending-light_el.jar”): http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/bending-light
Additionally: Spreadsheet application (like Microsoft Excel)

Theory / Definitions
1. Optical (or transparent) medium:
A medium that allows the passage of light through I, just like glass.
2. Index of refraction:
The ratio of the speed of light in vacuum over the speed of light in the transparent medium. It has a density greater than 1
3. Refraction:
The bending of a wave front as the wave front passes between two substances in which the speed of the wave differs
4. Denote the angles of incidence and refraction.

Experiment 1: Dependence of angle of refraction on the angle of incidence
Laser light falls from air to a transparent medium.
Prediction: What do we expect to happen to the angle of refraction as the index of refraction of the transparent medium increases? Explain.
The index of refraction increases which will make the angle of refraction decrease

The laser is placed so that the angle of incidence equals 50 degrees.
Table 1: Angle of refraction vs the index of refraction
Measurement
Index of refraction
Angle of refraction (degrees)
1
1
50
2
1.1
45
3
1.2
40
4
1.3
36
5
1.4
33
6
1.5
31
7
1.6
29

Conclusion compared to your prediction:
Based on the data, as the index of refraction increase, the angle of refraction decrease.

Experiment 2: Dependence of the angle of refraction on the angle of incidence
Predictions/Hypothesis: What