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Experiment 16: Reflection, Refraction and Dispersion: of Light

This document summarizes student Alexandre Passalacqua's physics lab experiment on February 2nd, 2021 about the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light. The purpose was to observe how light interacts with transparent materials and measure its effects. Key results included accurate reflection angle measurements, an average index of refraction of 1.57, equal angles for internal reflection based on Snell's law, and red light refracting at a higher angle than violet due to differences in wavelength. Overall, the student felt the lab was effective at demonstrating these optical phenomena.

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644 views3 pages

Experiment 16: Reflection, Refraction and Dispersion: of Light

This document summarizes student Alexandre Passalacqua's physics lab experiment on February 2nd, 2021 about the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light. The purpose was to observe how light interacts with transparent materials and measure its effects. Key results included accurate reflection angle measurements, an average index of refraction of 1.57, equal angles for internal reflection based on Snell's law, and red light refracting at a higher angle than violet due to differences in wavelength. Overall, the student felt the lab was effective at demonstrating these optical phenomena.

Uploaded by

Pass Ball
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Alexandre Passalacqua

Physics Lab

2/2/2021

Experiment 16: Reflection, Refraction and


Dispersion​ ​of Light

The purpose of this experiment is to gather information on interactions of light with


transparent matter. By observing this we should be able to see its effects in regards to reflection,
refraction, the index of refraction, and dispersion of light during refraction.

Part I: Reflection

Table One:

Run # θi θr |​θi -θr​|

1 39 39 |39-39| = 0

2 56 56 |56-56| = 0

3 51 50 |51-50| =1

4 66 67 |66-67| = 1

5 76 79 |76-79| = 3

(2) Answer Question #1: How accurately can you measure angles with your protractor to
the best of your ability? Although confusing at first, when i looked at a protractor it was
important to note that angles are a part of circles. With this knowledge the design of the
protractor makes sense. All in all if used correctly a protractor is quite accurate.
Part II: Refraction

Table Two:

Run # θi​ ​θ  θr n Maximum % deviation in n

1 55 36 55/36 = 1.53 (1.53-1.57)/1.57*100 = .48

2 40 26 40/26 = 1.54 (1.54-1.57)/1.57*100 = .19

3 30 20 30/20 = 1.50 (1.50-1.57)/1.57*100 = .67

4 65 38 65/38 = 1.71 (1.71-1.57)/1.57*100 = .89

5 47 30 47/30 = 1.57 (1.57-1.57)/1.57*100 = 0

Avg: 1.57

(4) Answer Question #2: How accurate do you expect your measured value of n (n average)
to be? Explain your reasoning and state your estimate in %. I expect my measured value of
n average to be quite accurate.

Part III: Internal Reflection

Angle A 72

Angle B 74

(6) Answer Question #3: Should the angles a and ß be the same or not? Explain your
reasoning (Hint: use geometrical reasoning and Snell’s Law, No calculations are needed).
If we look at angle alpha and angle beta through Snell’s law, the angles should be the same.
Snell’s Law (Equation) depicts there to be a relationship between incident and refracted angle in
terms of light or other waves, which we see in this lab.
Part IV: Dispersion by Refraction

Angle δ 4

(8) Answer Question #4: Why are the red rays, in the Fig. 7, “above” those of the violet
rays? (Hint: See your textbook on Dispersion). ​Since we know that different colors travel at
different speeds, we know that this is true. Reason being is because red rays have a longer
wavelength while violet rays have a shorter one. However all this changes if we look into one
medium, Vacuum. This is because all wavelengths of light have the same speed.

Conclusion:

Overall I felt as if the lab served its purpose of allowing us to survey and gather data on
the interactions of light with transparent matter. During the different procedures we were able to
see its effects in regards to reflection, refraction, the index of reaction, and dispersion of light
during refraction. Although not physically in the lab there are possible experimental errors that
come to mind would be an instance where a mirror was altered by a bump or miscalculation
which slightly skewed the measured angle. Even though this type of error could be present, the
end result of the data would not be too heavily impacted. This can be proved using the minimal
percent error and referencing our expected results. This lab presented the material in a way that
was easily digestible.

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