Finding Index of Refraction using Snell's Law

 

 

 

I.  Introduction (describes refraction and this law and show formula; note the actual values of index of refractions of the three liquids (mineral oil = 1.38, water=1.33, and ethyl alcohol 1.361); state that purpose is to demonstrate Snell's law)

 

II. Procedure (use photos and describe the procedure in detail how the angles were found,etc.) list steps and use technical terms, such as protractor, normal, incident and refracted angle, medium (air and other), laser pointer as source of light, etc.

 

III. Data and calculations (show table of data and all work) For each medium, collect at least three sets of angles, changing the incident angle from small to large (ex. 10, 20, 30)

 

IV. Conclusions (look up actual index of refractions for mineral oil, water, and methyl alcohol and compare to lab values)