Grade 10 Academic Science – Optics
(Physics)
Experiment - Light through a
Transparent Media and Different Media
Science Perspectives 10 Section 12.2
Pages 520-521
Science Perspectives 10 Section 12.3
Pages 522-523
You know that light travels in a straight
line. What is the path of light when it
travels between transparent media?
TRANSPARENT – Transmitting light so
that objects on the other side are clearly
visible
PURPOSE
To observe the path of light as it travels
from one transparent medium to another.
To explore refraction
MATERIALS
Polar graph paper
Acrylic semi-circle
Water
125 mL beaker or larger
Ray box with one slit for light to leave
Vegetable oil
Semi-circular plastic dish
METHODS
In your notebook, recreate the following
two tables
Table 1. Refraction in an Acrylic Block
Angle of Incidence in Air
(i)
Angle of Refracted Ray in
Acrylic Block
(R) i / R
sin R
sin i sin Rsin i /
0O
10O
20O
30O
40O
50O
60O
Table 2. Refraction in Different Media
Type of AngleSize of the Angle
Angle of Incidence
0O 10O20O30O40O50O60O
Angle of Refraction in acrylic semi-circle
Angle of Refraction in Air
Angle of Refraction in water
Angle of Refraction in Vegetable Oil
READ THE INSTRUCTIONS on Section
12.2 Page 520-521 AND Section 12.3
Page 522-523
Draw a vertical NORMAL line of the polar
graph paper
Position the acrylic semi-circle so it is
aligned with the centre of the polar graph
paper and its midpoint is at the origin.
strikes the flat surface of the acrylic semicircle in the centre AND at the angle of 0O
(i.e., the Incident Ray runs along the
Normal).
Trace the path of the light ray on the
graph paper as it enters and leaves the
acrylic semi-circle
Record the Angle of Refraction on your
table
Incidence in your Table (e.g., 10O,
20O…). RECALL: The Angle of
Refraction is always measured from the
Normal
Replace the acrylic semi-circle with the
plastic semi-circle dish
Add water to the dish
Repeat Steps 3-7
Pour the water into the sink when
completed, realign the semi-circular dish
on the graph paper and add some
vegetable oil
Repeat Steps 3-7 for the vegetable oil
recording your findings each time
Pour the vegetable oil back into its
original container.
Answer the following questions about
your experiment.
• Why was a semi-circular shape used?
• When using the acrylic semi-circle, what was the Angle of Refraction
for the Angle of Incidence of 0O? In your own words, try to explain
why?
• What happened to the Angle of Refraction as the Angle of Incidence
increased?
• Describe how a Refracted Light Ray in the acrylic semi-circle bent in
relation to the Normal
• How did the results change when a semi-circular dish of water was