Reflection and refraction of light experiment
Investigate the reflection of light by different types of surface and the refraction of light by different substances
Aim of the experiment
To investigate the reflection of light by different types of surface, and the refraction of light by different substances.
Method
- Set up a ray box, slit and lens so that a narrow ray of light is produced.
- Place a 30 centimetre (cm) ruler near the middle of a piece of plain A3 paper. Draw a straight line parallel to its longer sides. Use a protractor to draw a second line at right angles to this line. Label this line with an 'N' for 'normal'.
- Place the longest side of a rectangular A type of plastic; also a water-soluble, polymer-based paint. polymer block against the first line. With the normal near the middle of the block, carefully draw around the block without moving it.
- Use the ray box to shine a ray of light at the point where the normal meets the block. This is the Light ray moving towards a surface or boundary..
- The angle between the normal and the incident ray is called the Angle between the normal and the incident ray.. Move the ray box or paper to change the angle of incidence. The aim is to see a clear ray reflected from the surface of the block and another clear ray leaving the opposite face of the block.
- Using a pencil on the paper, mark the path of:
- the incident ray with a cross
- the Light ray leaving a surface or boundary. with a cross
- the emergent ray that leaves the block with two crosses - one near the block and the other further away
- Remove the block. Join the crosses to show the paths of the light rays towards and away from the block.
- Join the incident ray to the emergent ray to show the path of the light through the block.
- Repeat steps 2 to 8 for a rectangular glass block.
- Measure the angle of incidence, angle of reflection and angle of refraction inside the block for each block.
Results
Record results in a suitable table.
| Angle of incidence (°) | Angle of reflection (°) | Angle of refraction (°) |
| ... | ... | ... |
| Angle of incidence (°) | ... |
|---|---|
| Angle of reflection (°) | ... |
| Angle of refraction (°) | ... |
The results for a glass block:
| Angle of incidence (°) | Angle of reflection (°) | Angle of refraction (°) |
| ... | ... | ... |
| Angle of incidence (°) | ... |
|---|---|
| Angle of reflection (°) | ... |
| Angle of refraction (°) | ... |
Analysis
- compare the angle of incidence with the angle of reflection for each block
- compare the angle of incidence with the angle of refraction for each block
Evaluation
The light rays should obey the law of reflection because when the rays are reflected, the side of the block behaves as a mirror. To what extent do the results show this?
Risks/hazards
| Hazard | Consequence | Control measures |
| Ray box gets hot | Minor burns | Do not touch bulb and allow time to cool |
| Semi-dark environment | Increased trip hazard | Ensure environment is clear of potential trip hazards before lowering lights |
| Hazard | Ray box gets hot |
|---|---|
| Consequence | Minor burns |
| Control measures | Do not touch bulb and allow time to cool |
| Hazard | Semi-dark environment |
|---|---|
| Consequence | Increased trip hazard |
| Control measures | Ensure environment is clear of potential trip hazards before lowering lights |