Physics Report Snell S Law Refraction

Hanne Martine G. Ræstad 1.j Physics 25.03.
2014
Snell’s Law
Verifi cati on of Snell’s Law of Refracti on
Apparatus
glass slab compass pencil
pins ruler
eyesight
graph sheet cork board
Theory
When a light ray passes from one medium to another, its velocity
changes with respect to the difference in refractive indices of the
two media.
Snell’s law states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of
incidence (sin i¿ ¿ to the sine of angle of refraction (sin r ¿ ¿ will
be equal to the ratio of refractive indices of the second media to
the first. ( μ2∧μ1 )
sin i μ2
=
sin r μ1
The refractive index of a substance ( μ) is defined as the ratio of
velocity of light in vacuum (c ) to the velocity of light in the
medium ( v ).
c
μ=
v
Procedure
The goal of the experiment itself was to find and note the
refractive angles corresponding to various angles of incidence, so
that we can use these to later verify Snell’s law of refraction.
We first began with a sheet of graph paper which was to be used

to record our findings. We drew a coordinate system
approximately in the middle of the paper and proceeded to draw
a circle of radius 10 centimetres with its centre in the point of
origin using the compass. The graph paper was then placed on
the cork board. The glass slab was placed so that one of the
edges was in line with the x-axis of the coordinate system.
Then a pin was pinned in the point of origin (shown by a small

circle in the diagram). Another pin was placed on a random point
of the circle which was on the positive side of the y-axis. Then we
used our own eyesight to place the third and final pin, located next to the glass slab so that when
seen through the glass, the pins appear to be perfectly aligned. However, what we see through the
glass has already been refracted, so the pins will then indicate the refracted light ray. When the angle
1
Hanne Martine G. Ræstad 1.j Physics 25.03.2014
had been indicated on the graph sheet using a pencil and a ruler. This was repeated for seven
different angles of incidence.
Raw Data
Since Snell’s law includes the sine of the angles and not the
angles themselves, this is what we will try to find.
Using the coordinate system and circle we drew on the graph

paper, we can find two right-angled triangles for every light
ray that was traced – one for the angle of incidence ( i ) and one
for the angle of refraction (r ). We know that the radius of the
circle is 10 centimetres, which is the hypotenuse of both
triangles. Using the graph paper, we can measure the lengths
opposite to the angles ( x∧ y ). With this information, we can
find the sine of both angles, as
opposite side
sin θ=
hypotenuse
x y
Which means that sin i= and sin r= .
10 10
This can be calculated for each angle and put into a table.
Angle Length x [cm] sin(i) Length y [cm] sin(r)

1 2.0 0.2 1.4 0.14
2 0.5 0.05 0.35 0.035
3 5.0 0.5 3.3 0.33
4 8.0 0.8 5.4 0.54
5 4.0 0.4 2.65 0.265
6 6.0 0.6 4.0 0.4
7 7.0 0.7 4.75 0.475
Processed data
Using the same data which was used to make the table, we can make a graph of the relation
between the sines of angles of incidence and refraction. Since the angle of incidence was the one
which was changed in order to measure the angle of refraction, the sine of the angle of incidence will
be the independent variable. The sine of angle of refraction is the dependent variable. Due to this,
the sine of angle of incidence is placed on the x-axis, and the sine of angle of refraction is placed on
the y-axis.
2
sin r
The slope of the graph will give us . This is, however, not what we need for the formula. We can
sin i
then rewrite the formula so that we can use the information we have.
sin i μ2 sin i μ glass

Snell’s law states that = , which in this case would be =
sin r μ1 sin r μ air
In the case of air, μair =1

c
This is because μ= , where c is the velocity of light in vacuum, and v is the velocity of light in the
v
medium. In the case of air, the difference between these two is negligible and they are given the
same value.
c 3.8× 108
So μair = =¿ =1
v 3.8× 108
Substituting the value for the refractive index of air, we now get this formula.
sin i μ glass
=
sin r 1
We can inverse this so that we can insert the slope value from earlier.
sin r 1
=
sin i μ glass
1
Slope of the graph=
μglass
3
And so, to isolate μ glass, we can multiply both sides by μ glass and divide them by the slope of the
graph.
1
μ glass=
Slope
If we then insert the value of the slope which can be read from the graph, we have found the
refractive index of our glass slab.
1
μ glass= =1.499
0.6671
Conclusion
Percentage error
The refractive index of glass varies depending on what type of glass the glass slab is made from,
ranging from around 1.33 to 1.6. To calculate the percentage error, we will use an approximate
average of 1.5 as the standard value.
standard value−experimental value

Percentage error = ×100 %
standard value
1.5−1.499
Percentage error = ×100 %=0.066 %
1.5
Evaluation
The percentage error is negligible. This points towards that Snell’s law is indeed correct and can be
used to calculate the refractive index of any given medium if one has access to sufficient data. Snell’s
law is thereby verified until otherwise proven.

Physics Report Snell S Law Refraction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics Report Snell S Law Refraction

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Physics Report Snell S Law Refraction

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Hanne Martine G. Ræstad 1.j Physics 25.03.

We first began with a sheet of graph paper which was to be used

Then a pin was pinned in the point of origin (shown by a small

Using the coordinate system and circle we drew on the graph

Angle Length x [cm] sin(i) Length y [cm] sin(r)

sin i μ2 sin i μ glass

In the case of air, μair =1

standard value−experimental value

You might also like