Investigating light - refraction

Question 1

glass is denser than air so a light ray passing from air to glass slows down.

Answer 1

if the ray hits the block at an angle, it refracts and then when it leaves the block, it’s bent back into it’s original DIRECTION (but it emerges from a different point)

Question 2

What is the aim of the experiment?

Answer 2

To investigate the refraction of light by different types of substances/ materials.

Question 3

Step 1

Answer 3

Place a transparent rectangular block on a piece of paper and trace it

Question 4

Step 2

Answer 4

Use a ray box to shine a ray of light through the glass block

Question 5

Step 3

Answer 5

mark the rays of light entering and emerging from the glass block

Question 6

Step 4

Answer 6

remove the block and join the lines to show the path of the complete ray through the block

Question 7

Step 5

Answer 7

draw a normal, at 90 degrees to the surface of the block at the point that the light met with it

Question 8

Step 6

Answer 8

use a protractor to measure the angles of incidence and refraction

Question 9

Step 7

Answer 9

repeat the experiment, using the ray box to shine a light at rectangular blocks made from different materials (keeping the incident angle the same throughout)

Question 10

What are some risks and hazards?

Answer 10

.Ray box gets hot - minor burns - don’t touch bulb
.semi dark environment - increased trip hazard - ensure environment is clear of trip hazards

Question 11

Step 9

Question 12

Step 10