INVESTIGATION+TO+CALCULATE+REFRACTIVE+INDEX

Back to HOME > IGCSE PHYSICS > WAVES > LIGHT AND SOUND =INVESTIGATION TO CALCULATE REFRACTIVE INDEX (simulation)=
 * 1) Open the simulation at [|ECHALK]. Your teacher can give you the password. If not, then there are many other sims online eg [|PHET BENDING LIGHT]
 * 2) Investigate rays travelling from air to a denser medium. Note the refractive index of the second medium
 * 3) Set the angle of incidence (i) to 10º and measure the angle of refraction.
 * 4) Complete a table of results in a spreadsheet for the range of i between 10º and 80º using intervals of 10º. Use a calculator (not a formula) to complete the sine columns. All readings should be 3 sf.
 * 5) Plot a graph of i against r and verify that the relationship is not linear.
 * 6) Plot a graph of sine i against sine r. It is easier if you order the data columns correctly. Is this graph linear?
 * 7) Calculate the gradient of the graph of sine i against sine r.
 * 8) Compare this result with the refractive index in the simulation.
 * Angle i/º || Angle r/º || sine r || sine i ||
 * 10.0 ||  ||   ||   ||
 * 20.0 ||  ||   ||   ||