10.04.

2024

Physics, Snell’s law lab report, made by Matvei and Keichii.

Plan

1. Aim
2. Introduction
3. Equipment
4. Procedure
5. Steps
6. Graph
7. Data and graph analysis
8. Conclusion

Aim
For this experiment, we were investigating the refraction and Snell’s law, which is
a relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction. In case to prove
this theory, the experiment was done. The relationship between the incident
angle and the refracted angles was supposed to be proven. For the interpretation
of the relationship between the incident and refracted angle, I will use the
straight-line graph where the incident angle is x, and the refracted angle is y. The
expectations are to get the refracted angle smaller than the incident angle by this
experiment, also to show that we are going to use the Line Graph so we can see
the difference rising or falling throughout the experiment.

Introduction
The Snell’s law quantitatively relates the angle of incidence of a light ray to the
angle of refraction when the ray passes through a boundary between two
different transparent media. This relationship is measured with the “normal”,
which is the right angle to the surface of the prism. By using the prism on the
different angles and the light ray, which is directed to the prism. The ray is going
through the prism on the incident ray and going out on the refracted angle. The
Snell’s law shows us the behavior of the waves in the light which are refracted
once they change the material from the air to the shallower material which is the
prism. So, the difference between the incident angle and the refracted angle is
formed by the refraction of the light ray, which is the bending of the light as it.
passes from one transparent medium into another. So, the difference and the
relationship are formed because of the refraction of the waves. The difference
between the incident rays and refracted rays is called the Snell’s law which
shows the difference between them. To prove it all we use the normal, and we
find separately the incident and refracted rays. The refraction of the ways in the
rays show us their behavior while depending on their length or their speed. So it
all together gives us the difference in incident and refracted angles.

Equipment

1. Piece of paper, on which we write all the information, we draw a scheme,

angles and normal.
2. Glass prism, on which we direct the ray of light, so to find the refracted ray.
3. Pencil, which we use to write all the information by.
4. Ruler, by which we draw the rays and measure the angles later.
5. Light ray, which we direct on the glass prism to find the angles of the rays.
Procedure:
1.Leave the glass prism on the peace of paper.
2.We draw the prism on the prism with the angles set for the light ray.
3.The setting of the light ray, directing it to the prism with the specific angle
4.Measure the refracted ray by directing the light ray on different angles.
5.The table and the graph are made considering all the measurements.

Variables:
Angle of Incident – Independent Variable
Angle of Refraction – Dependent Variable

Graph

Y – sin r X – sin i
Gradient = x/y ; 1/0.6 = 1.7
i/rad = i/° *
sin I = sin(i/°) ; 0,173648 = sin(10°)
i/rad = 2*PI()/360 * i/° ; 0.174533 = 2*PI()/360 * 10°
Table:

Graph and Table analysis:

The proportional relationship between the incident angle and refracted angles
was proven as the incident angle increased, refracted angle increased too. So
the consistent growth of the incident angle, causes the consistent growth of the
refracted angle.

Conclusion.
In conclusion, we can say that this experiment showed us the relationship
between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction. The theory is
supported by the experiment, the angles of refraction are constantly smaller
than the angles of incidence, so the gradient is constantly growing too, which
makes the graph be permanently growing. Also, our results were closely aligned
with the reliability of Snell's Law in predicting the behavior of light at the interface
of two mediums. The errors, such as the inaccuracies in the angles of incidence
and the angles of refraction could cause a minor change in the experiment and
didn’t affect the results badly. In case to improve the experiment, by minimizing
these errors through better measurement techniques would be beneficial. Also,
there were some errors which could change the results. Firstly, the angles were
measured by using the eyes and a ruler, which could be measured incorrectly
because the measures were made not by using the professional equipment.
To improve it next time we can use the professional equipment and use the
scanner to show the results on the PC which will be more accurate. Secondly the
brightness of the ray was decreased as the ray was going further from the light
source, which could occur to the wrong measurements of the angles of rays.
To improve it, we need better light source next time which will be more powerful,
and which will have better bright lasting.