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Light

Ray box

Log angles and see that sin i / sin r stays equal to n.

n = sin i / sin r

Apparatus

  • Ray box
  • Glass block
  • Protractor measuring from the normal

Method

  1. Start with air into glass. Set n and the angle of incidence.
  2. Read the angle of refraction from the protractor.
  3. Log at least three angles. Look at the column sin i / sin r.
  4. Switch to glass into air and increase i until the ray reflects inside.

Do not look into a laser. This bench is a lamp and a glass block.

Incidence
40°
Refraction
25.4°
n
1.5
Critical angle
41.8°
Boundary

The ratio stays near n. Past the critical angle the refracted ray disappears.

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