Abstract

This paper is all about the concept of Refraction. Refraction is further understood
quantitavely by conducting an experiment using a glass plate and air as the medium of light
propagation and both interchanged to determine or establish a consistent relationship with
Refraction. In the experiment, it was determined that the index of refraction is always greater
than 1. The data obtained in the experiment shows that a bigger index of refraction the denser
a medium is and was proved by using the Snells Law. Furthermore, an experiment was
conducted and was determined that the light ray when travelling in a medium that is denser,
meaning a considerable index of refraction, to a less dense medium a total internal reflection
occurs between the interfaces of media.

SAMPLE COMPUTATIONS
PART A:
GH =3.8 cm

Percent Error:

| ActualExperimental
|100
Actual

%error=

FL=6.6 cm
na =1.0

%error=16

Actual Value, n g=1.5

FL
Experimental Value, n g=n a GH

( )

n g=1

( 6.6
3.8 )

n g=1.74
PART B:
GH =4.8 cm

Percent Error:

FL=3.4 cm

| ActualExperimental
|100
Actual

%error=

na =1.0
Actual Value, n g=1.5

%error=5.88

FL
Experimental Value, n g=n a GH

( )

n g=1

( 4.8
3.4 )

n g=1.41
PART C:
MU =5.8 cm

Percent Error:

EU =6.5 cm

| ActualExperimental
|100
Actual

%error=

c ( ACTUAL )=sin

na
ng

( )

%error=0.17

c ( ACTUAL )=41.81
c ( A EXPERIMENTAL ) =tan 1

( MU
EU )

c ( EXPERIMENTAL )=41. 74
SOURCES OF ERRORS:
The possible sources of errors are only a few in this experiment and it is mostly due to
human error like the plotting of pins on the incorrect coordinates and when the ray of light is
directed on the medium incorrectly.
CONCLUSION
At the end of the experiment, the group was able to attain the given objectives: (1) to
study the refraction of light, (2) to compare the angle of incidence in the first medium to the
angle of refraction to the second medium, and lastly, (3) to determine the index of refraction
of glass experimentally by applying the Snells Law. On the first and second part of the
experiment, the group was able to study the refraction of light on different media
specifically the glass and air. The angle produced by the coordinates marked by the pushpins
was proved to truly affect the angle of refraction. After obtaining the data, the group then
applied the Snells Law in determining the experimental value of the index of refraction of
glass. The experimental value of 1.74 and 1.41 was then compared to the actual value of 1.5
and computed for the percentage error. And lastly, the third part was done by the group by
directing a ray of light which is the laser to the edge of the glass plate. The group were able to
establish a relationship between the angle and the medium of where the light bends which is
called the critical angle. The Snells Law was also used to compute for the experimental value
of the critical angle which is 4.74 compared to the actual value of 4,81 and computing for the
percentage error of 0.17 %.