Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

Geometric Optics Practical DRAFT

Group Members: []

Aim: The aim of this investigation is to estimate the refractive index of Perspex
using white light, as well as investigating dispersion of white light through a
prism.

Apparatus:

Materials:

Light box
Electricity box
Single slit card
Blank white paper
Protractor
Ruler
Pencil

Variables:

Independent Variable: Angle of incidence

Dependent Variable: Angle of refraction

Procedure:
1. Place the light box on top of the blank white paper, and insert the narrow
single slit card at the rear end of the light box (keeping all the windows
closed.)
2. Plug the light box into the electricity box and turn to 12 volts.
3. Place the trapezoid in front of the ray of light, and adjust until the angle ()
of the emerging ray is as large and clear as possible; and the ray separates
into colours.
a) What colour do you see? In What order are they? When the ray
separated into colours, a rainbow formed which had red on the right,
then orange, yellow, green, purple then blue on the left.
b) Which colour is refracted at the largest angle? The blue was
refracted at the largest angle.
c) According to Snells Law and the information given about the
frequency dependence of the index of refraction for acrylic,
which colour is predicted to refract at the largest angle? The
colour blue is predicted to refract at the largest angle as it has the
highest refraction value.
4. Without moving the trapezoid, trace around it and mark where the rays
are. Once done, remove the trapezoid and join the lines to show the exact
representation on what happened to the light ray when it hit the trapezoid.

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

5. Then work out the angles, and find the refractive index using the formula:

Sin n1=Sin n 2

It is good to do multiple trials, then work out the average to get a more
accurate result.
6. Without repositioning the light source, use the filters included in the light
box to select the three primary colour rays. The coloured rays should enter
the trapezoid at the same angle that the white ray did. Do the coloured
rays emerge at the same angle as each other? Why or why not?
Each member of the group should have their own measurements and diagrams
of the trapezoid, in which they will measure the angles and determine the
refractive index.
Note: As the light boxes windows will be closed; allowing the one slit of white
light through, the light box will get quite hot therefor do not place anything near
the box. Once completed the practical, avoid touching as it will be hot, then let
the box cool down before placing back in its box.

Results:
(Diagrams of Perspex taken from Diana, Josh and Lachlans group)

Angle of Incidence
(Degrees)
47
50
31

Angle of Refraction
(Degrees)
30
30
20

Average Refractive index of Perspex:

1.463 + 1.463 +1.506 +1.506 + 1.488 + 1.488
6
= 1.486

Critical Angle:
Sin 1n 1=Sin 2 n2
Perspex x Sin (ic) = Air Sin

90

1.486 x Sin (ic) = 1.0003 x Sin 90

Sin (ic) = 1.0003 x Sin90

1.486

Sin (ic) = 0.6731

Critical Angle (ic) = Sin

11 (0.6731)

Refractive Index
Value
1.463
1.488
1.506

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

= 42.30677754
=

420

Analysis:
As a result of this practical, it was found that the Critical Angle of
0
Perspexs is 42 ; and the Average refractive index is 1.486. To get a
more accurate result, three different measures of the Perspex were taken,
both refraction values of the incidence and refraction rays were taken
from all diagrams, and all the results were added together and divided by
the number of results to find the average refractive index for Perspexs.
The smallest angle where total internal reflection occurs is called the
0
critical angle, and in Perspex, the actual angle is at roughly 43 . Whilst,
the actual value for the refractive index of Perspex is 1.497. Comparing to
the results to the ones calculated during this practical, the Critical angle
0
1 off, and the refractive index was only 0.011 off the actual
was only
critical angle and refractive index of Perspexs.
Percentage Error:
Refractive Index

Theoretical
Theoretical
Error=Experimental X 100

Error=

1.4971.486
X 100
1.497

% Error = 0.73480294
= 0.73% Error
Critical Angle

Theoretical
Theoretical
Error=Experimental X 100

Error=

4342
X 100
43

% Error = 2.3255814
= 2.33% Error

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

There are different possibilities as to why the results are not exactly the
same as the actual ones, and these are the Random and systematic
errors. These are things which include inaccurate tracing, as it was a little
difficult to mark exactly where the rays were coming in and out; which
would change the results. As well as inaccurate readings on the
protractor, and the fact that the light beams were thicker than the pencil
line drewdrawn, the angle would not be exact. For a systematic error, if
the light box itself was not functioning properly and not producing the
correct light beam, it would throw off the results.
According to Snells law; Because the index of refraction or light varies
with the frequency of the light, white light that enters the materials, at an
angle other than 0, will separate into its component colours. This explain
how the colours had formed when the white light hit the trapezoid during
this practical. Snells law also explains that the Blue light refracts the
most, than the yellow light, and finally the red light. Comparing this to the
results found in the practical, the law was proven correct; as the blue light
o
refracted at the largest angle of 40 , the red at the lowest angle of
o

35

, and the yellow at an angle somewhere in between.

Example of what it looked like.
Group results

With the Red light on the left and Blue on

the right.
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/guides/mtr/opt/mch/refr/gifs/more2.gif

For future practicals, when tracing the diagram; using a pen that is closer
to the thickness of the light beam would be dependable, as then the
angles and the calculations to the refractive index and critical angle would
be closer to that of the real refractive index and critical angle. As well
maybe putting in more dots to show where the rays are coming in and
out, so when it is ruled up to make the complete diagram; it will be more
accurate.
Conclusion:
The aim of this investigation was to estimate the refractive index of
Perspex and look at the spreading of white light through a prism, both of
the aims were fur filled throughout this practical. It was measured that the

Stage 1 Physics | Kate Sheppard

refractive index was 1.486, and from that the critical angle was able to be
determined. It was also discovered that when white light is shun through a
prism; it spreads out into a rainbow, with blue being the colour which
refracted the greatest, confirming Snells law.
Suggestions:
-

Since you have a table, you could consider a graph

Where are the questions from the analysis section of the practical
instructions?