Experiment 404:

Index of Refraction
Charl Joseph B. Santiago, PHY13L/A4
charljosephsantiago@gmail.com
Abstract
The Experiment 404 deals with index of refraction which is the ratio of the speed of
light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a medium under consideration. By using Snells
Law formula, we were able to get the angle of refraction. Based on our results, the angle of
refraction is always greater than the angle of incidence. Therefore, as the angle of increases,
the value of the angle of refraction approaches 90 degrees.
Key Words: Index of Refraction, Snells Law, angle of incidence, angle of refraction
Introduction
The experiment will revolve on the refraction of light or the bending of light when it
moves at an angle from one transparent substance, such as air, to another substance, such as
water. Light refracts at different angles depending on the density of the medium, like water,
glass and air. Light refracts more when moving through glass than when moving through
water. This is true because glass is denser than water. [6] Moreover, the experiment is mostly
pertaining to the index of refraction, the measure of the speed of light. [4] The index of
refraction is the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum in relation to that in the considered
medium,
c
8
n= ; c=3 x 10 m/ sec
v

(1)

The value of the index of refraction must always be greater than 1. Also, the greater
the value of the index of refraction, the denser the medium. In Table 1, it shows some indexes
of refraction of vacuum and some common substances.

Table 1. Some indexes of refraction. [1]

Just like reflection, refraction of light is governed by the Laws of Refraction which
states that the incident ray, refracted ray and normal line lie on the same plane, and the angle
of incidence and the angle of refraction are not equal but their relationship is defined by the
Snells Law. It is the relationship between angles of incidence and refraction for a wave
impinging on an interface between two media with different indices of refraction. Snells Law
can be derived, as shown in Fig. 1, simply on the basis of the wave theory.

Fig 1. The relationship between Snells Law and the wave theory. [2]
BD =v 1 tAC =v 2 t
Such that
BD v1 t v 1
=
=
AC v2 t v 2
The ratio
sin i BD / AD BD v1 c /n1 n2
=
=
= =
=
sin r AC / AD AC v2 c /n2 n1
Therefore,

sin i=n 2 sin r

(2)

The critical angle is formed when the angle of refraction is always greater than the
angle of incidence. As the angle of incidence increases, the value of the angle of refraction
approaches 90 degrees. The critical angle is
n1 sin i=n2 sin r
n1 sin C =n 2 sin 90 =n 2
1

C =sin

n2
for n2 <n 1
n1

( )
2

(3)

Moreover, total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence is larger than
the critical angle of incidence then there is no refracted ray but the light rays are fully
reflected.

Methodology
To start with this experiment, as shown in Fig. 2, we were given 1 piece of glass plate,
3 pieces of push pins, and 1 piece of diode laser or laser pointer. Also, we were advised to
handle with care the glass plate because broken glass plate shall be replaced by the user.

Fig. 2. The materials used in Experiment 404.

1. Determination of Index of Refraction of Glass when light goes from Glass Into Air
In the first part of the experiment, we used the data sheet on page 45 in the laboratory
manual. On the data sheet, there is a big circle, with two perpendicular axes, AA and BB,
that intersects at the center, O. As shown in Fig. 3, we must put the first pin at O and the
second pin at T in the first quadrant. Next is view through the thickness of the lower side of
the glass plate and look for the image of pin 2. After a while, place the third pin at K so that
the three pins should appear to be lying in a straight line along our eyesight.

Fig. 3. The set-up in determining the index of refraction

of glass when light goes from glass into air.
After placing all the pins, remove the glass plate and identify the holes marks created
by each pin on the paper. We can draw an extended line connecting points O and T so that it
will intersect the circle at H. Also, draw another extended line connecting points O and K so
that it will intersect the circle at F. Next is draw a line, HG, perpendicular to BB at G which
will pass through point H on the circle. Also, draw another line, FL, perpendicular to BB at L
which will pass through point F on the circle. Applying Snells Law, and by using the sides of
the triangles HOG and FOL , we can measure lines GH and FL.
ng na

; OF =OH =radius of the

( GHFL/OF
/OH )

n g=n a

FL
( GH
)

2. Determination of Index of Refraction of Glass when light goes from Air Into Glass
In this part of the experiment, we used the data sheet on page 46 in the laboratory
manual. As shown in Fig. 4, the upper side of the glass plate is placed along the line AA and
the first pin is set at point O and the second pin at T near the upper side of the glass plate.
Make sure to align the images of the first pin and the second pin while looking through the
thickness of lower side of the glass plate to set the third pin. The three pins will lie on the
same eyesight. But take note that they are obliquely arranged when viewed from the top.

Fig. 4. The set-up in determining the index of refraction

of glass when light goes from air into glass.
After placing all the pins, trace its exact size and shape on the paper and remove the
glass plate and label all the pins hole marks. We can draw an extended line joining points O
and T so that it will intersect the circle at H which will represent as the incident ray. On the
other side, the refracted ray is constructed by joining points O and K which when extended
will intersect the circle at F. The angle of line, OT, from BB is greater than the angle of line
OK from BB which proves that light bends toward the normal line. Meanwhile, the angle of
line OT from BB is less than the angle of line, OK, form BB, which proves that light bends
away from the normal line. We can now construct lines HG and FL perpendicular to BB at
points G and L, respectively. Also we can also construct lines passing through points H and F,
respectively on the circle. Applying Snells law and the sides of triangles GOH and
LOF , we can determine the index of refraction of glass and measure lines GH and FL,
ng na

/OH
( GHFL/OF
); OF =OH =radius of the

n g=n a

FL
( GH
)

3. Determination of the Critical Angle (

for Glass

In the third part of the experiment, we must first place the glass plate on the paper and
trace its shape and size. By the use of a diode laser or a portable light source, we can direct a
5

ray of light through the lower side of the glass plate. One should take note of the emerging
ray on the upper side of the glass plate and that the incident ray at the lower side of the glass
plate is parallel to the emerging ray at the upper side of the glass plate. Next, we must adjust
the position of the diode laser until the incident ray of light appears almost parallel to the
lower side of the glass plate, wherein the ray is approximately perpendicular to the normal
line. We must mark point, M, where the ray strikes the lower side of the glass plate and point,
E, where the light ray appears emerging at the upper side of the glass plate.
As shown in Fig. 5, the line which connects points M and E is called the critical angle
wherein the refractive angle is approximately at 90 degrees. We can draw two perpendicular
lines, wherein one line will pass through point E as normal line and other line will pass
through point M, intersecting at point U to from a right triangle EMU.

Fig. 5. The set-up in determining the critical angle. [2]

If the procedures were done properly, we can measure the lengths EU and MU. We
can get the accepted value of the critical angle using equation 4. Also, we can get the
experimental value of the critical angle by the tangent of this angle using the sides of EMU,
C =tan 1

( MU
EU )
Results and Discussion

1. Determination of Index of Refraction of Glass

The data we obtained in Table 2 shows that the angle of a light ray on the two medium
increases due to the index of refraction of an object or medium. Discussing the result, the
index of refraction of the first medium is directly related to the index of refraction of the
second medium and the angle that the light makes with the normal line. However the index of
refraction of the first medium is inversely related to the angle that the light makes with the
normal line while passing through the first medium.
Table 2. The gathered data in Determination of Index of Refraction of Glass
PART A
Light bends from GLASS to
AIR
6

PART B
Light bends from AIR to
GLASS

Length of line, GH
Length of line, FL
Index of Refraction of
Air
Index of Refraction of
Glass
(experimental
value)
Index of Refraction of
Glass (accepted value)
Percent Error
1.1.

2.50 cm
3.80 cm
1.00

5.30 cm
3.50 cm
1.001

1.42

1.49

1.50

1.50

5.33 %

0.67 %

Index of Refraction of Glass when Light bends from glass to air

Fig. 6. The image formed in determining the index of refraction

of glass when light goes from glass to air.
1.2.

Index of Refraction of Glass when Light Bends from Air to Glass

Fig. 7. The image formed in determining the index of refraction

of glass when light goes from air to glass.
Conclusion
In this experiment, we were able to study the refraction of light, to compare the angle
of incidence in the first medium to the angle of refraction in second medium, and to
determine the index of refraction of glass experimentally by applying the Snells Law.
Refraction of light is ruled by laws of refraction where it states that the incident ray, refracted
ray and the normal line lie on the same plane and the angle of incidence and the angle of
refraction are not equal but they have a relationship which is defined by the Snells Law. The
angle of incidence in the first medium and the angle of refraction in the second medium is
both with respect to the normal which is perpendicular to the surface. We found out that the
critical angle is not possible to exist when light goes from air into water since the index of
refraction of air must be less than the index of refraction of water. Also, since the percentage
error of the two parts of the experiment, the data gathered agrees with the concept and
formulas presented in the laboratory manual.

References:
Book
[1] Halliday, Resnik, Walker, Principles of Physics. 9th ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc. USA
8

(2011)
Manual
[2] Benzon, AM, Index of Refraction. Physics Lab Manual, 35-47 (2014)
Others
[3] http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Refractive_index.html
[4] http://www.micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/refraction/index.html