PASCO OS-8459 Beginning Optics System - Manual (Page 14)

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B e g i n n i n g O p t i c s S y s t e m E x p e r i m e n t 4 : S n e l l ’ s L a w
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7. On a new sheet of paper, repeat steps 2–6 with a different angle of incidence.
Repeat these steps again with a third angle of incidence. The first two columns of
Table 4.1 should now be filled.
Analysis
1. For each row of Table 4.1, use Snell’s Law to calculate the index of refraction,
assuming the index of refraction of air is 1.0.
2. Average the three values of the index of refraction. Compare the average to the
accepted value (n = 1.5) by calculating the percent difference.
Question
What is the angle of the ray that leaves the rhombus relative to the ray that enters it?
Table 4.1: Data and Results
Angle of Incidence Angle of Refraction Calculated index of refraction of
acrylic
Average: