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Apparatus:
Light box
Material
Light Box
Electricity box
Single slit card
Protractor
Ruler
White Paper
Pencil
Trapezium
Variables
Independent Variables
Angle of incidence
Dependent Variables
Angle of refraction
Stage 1 Physics
Procedure
1. Connect the light box with the electricity box in the plug. Placing it on the table
and a white paper in front where the light is shinning.
2. Insert the single slit card at the back end of the light box making sure the rest of
the slits are closed.
3. Turn the electricity box power on and go to 12 volts.
4. Place the trapezoid or any other shape used in front of the ray of light, and correct
until the angle of the emerging ray so it 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 are shown into colours, a rainbow is showed which had
red on the right, then orange, yellow, green, purple then blue
finish off the rainbow on the left.
b) Which colour is refracted at the largest angle? The red
and blue were refracted at the largest angles.
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?
Blue is predicted to be refracting as the largest angle as it
has the highest refraction value found.
5. Exclusive of 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 image on what happened to the light ray
when it hit the trapezoid.
6. Then work out the angles, and find the refractive index using the
formula:
Sin n1 Sin n2
It is good to do as many trials but three is enough then work out
the average to get a more accurate result.
7. Without shifting the light source, use the filters included in the
light box to select the three primary colour rays. The rays should
enter the trapezoid at the same angle that the white ray did.
Results:
Angle of Incidence
(Degrees)
37
22
51
Angle of Refraction
(Degrees)
30
16
24
Refractive Index
Value
1.207
1.363
1.916
Stage 1 Physics
Stage 1 Physics
Conclusion:
The purpose of this practical was to find the refractive index of Perspex and observe the
white light through different shapes. It was measured that the refractive index was 1.496.
Through the practical everyone observed and learnt that when white light is reflected
through a prism it opens into a rainbow with red being on the right and blue being on the
left.
Suggestions
-
Where are the questions from the analysis section of the practical instructions
You need to explain the maths you are doing