Snell’s Lαw Lαb Report

By: Saaransh Jain

Aim: To study refraction through a glass slab to investigate the refractive index of a glass slab
and verify Snell's law.

Research question:

To what extend does the angle of incidence affect the angle of refraction keeping the mediums of travel
constant (air to glass)

Theoretical research:
Introduction
Light always travels in a straight line, but when light travels enters a different medium, it changes is
direction due to a difference in the optical density. A greater optical density means slower the speed of
light in the medium and as the speed of the light changes the direction of its propagation changes as
well. When the speed of light varies, the light bends; this bending is known as refraction. Refraction is
greater when the light travels from air to glass compared to when light travels from air to water because
glass is optically denser. Refraction is extremely important to us because it allows us to see. There is
refraction in our eyes, because when the light enters our eye lens then it bends and converges to meet at
our retina and form an image (figure 1).

Figure 1Refraction in human eye

The following image is a ray diagram depicting the concept of refraction.

Refraction from Rarer to Denser medium:

The light moves towards the normal, hence the angle of refraction is less than the angle of incidence.
Refraction from Denser to Rarer medium:
The light moves away from the normal, hence the angle of refraction is greater than the angle of
incidence.

Real Life examples:

It is quite visible in everyday life. This phenomenon includes dispersion via prisms (figure 2), glittering
stars (figure 3), formation of rainbows after rain (figure 4), and the illusion of numerous suns. A
common observation of refraction of light is in glass. The light comes in at different angles, due to
which the light is bending when a slab of glass is put over a sheet of paper, the text on the sheet of paper
will seem closer to the surface (figure 5).

Figure 2 Dispersion of light via a prism

Figure 3 Glittering stars

Figure 4 Formation of rainbows after rain

Figure 5 Text on paper appearing bigger due to glass slab

Some important terminologies:

Normal: A ray of light which forms an angle of 90° with the refracting surface is said to be normal.
When a ray of light travels along the normal, it does not suffer any refraction.

Incident Ray: A ray of light that travels towards the refracting surface is called incident ray.

Refracted Ray: A ray of light that changes its path when passes through a refracting surface is said to
be refracted ray

Emergent Ray: A ray of light which emerges out into the original medium after refraction is said to be
an emergent ray.

Lateral displacement: The perpendicular shift in the path of light, seen when it emerges out from the
refracting medium is called lateral displacement.

Angle of incidence: The angle formed between the normal and incident ray is called angle of incidence.

Angle of refraction: The angle formed between the refracted and normal ray is called angle of
refraction.

Angle of emergence: The angle formed between the normal and emergent ray is called angle of
emergence

The laws of refraction of light:

The incident ray, normal and the refracted ray all lie on the same plane.

In 1621 Willebrord Snell discovered the relationship between the path taken by a ray of light as it
changes its medium of travel and the refractive index of the mediums. The law was then named after
him. Snell's law is based on the fact that bending causes the light beam to refract at an angle. In ray
tracing, the Snell's law is used to calculate the angles of incidence and refraction. The Snell's law
states that the ratio between the sine of the angle of incidence and the sine of the angle of refraction is a
constant for the medium and it is known as the ‘refractive index'. The refractive index is a universal
constant which changes as the optical density of a medium changes. We represent the refractive index
by η or µ. The greater the optical density of the medium, the greater the refractive index of the medium.

The Snell's law is only applicable on objects that are isotropic and specular, for example glass and
water. A ray is said to be "refracted" when it travels through another medium. Both reflection and
refraction occur in most interactions between light and a barrier, but we will ignore the reflected wave
for this report. The equation for Snell's law is: µ1 * sin(i) = µ2 * sin(r)

Total Internal Reflection (TIR):

When light moves from a rarer to denser medium then the light moves away from the normal so the
angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence, but if we keep increasing the angle of
incidence then the light reflects back into the medium instead of going out (figure 6). It follows the laws
of regular reflection, where the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. The angle of
incidence which makes the angle of refraction 90° to the normal, is known as the critical angle. For
total internal reflection to occur the following must be true:
1. The light should be travelling from a denser to rarer medium.
2. The angle of incidence should be greater than the critical angle.

Figure 6 Total internal reflection

Applications of Total internal reflection:

Total internal reflection is used in many aspects of our life, for example in shining of diamonds and
optical fibres. The figure 7 shows how the light goes through total internal reflection in a diamond. This
also explains why uncut diamond has no value compared to a well cut diamond, because the angle at
which the faces of the diamond are cut really impacts its shine. In the figure 8, there is a curved optical
fibre in which total internal reflection is occurring. The fibre is made up of 2 elements, the inner core
and the cladding. The core is optically denser than the cladding, hence when the light incidents at an
angle greater than the critical angle, it reflects back in. This allows for quick data transfer with
negligible data loss, which is why it is essential for the development of our telecommunication.

Figure 7 Total internal reflection in a diamond

Figure 8 Total internal reflection in an optical fiber
Hypothesis:

If we increase the angle of incidence, then the angle of refraction will also increase. This means that
they are directly proportional. This is because light always travels in a straight line, and when it
changes medium then the speed of the light wave changes which causes the direction of the
propagation of the wave to change.

Variables:
Independent Variable:
Independent Variable Range of measurement How will this be changed?
Angle of Incidence 30°- 60° (at equal gaps of 5) We will change this by placing
the pins at a different incident
ray

Dependent Variable:
Dependent Variable How will this be measured?
Angle of Refraction We will measure this by connecting the emergent normal and
incident normal with a line and then measuring the angle of the
refracted ray to the normal with a protractor

Controlled Variables:

Controlled Variable Why it needs to be controlled? How will it be controlled?

Mediums of Travel So that the refractive index of By keeping the environmental
the mediums remains constant conditions and the glass slab
same throughout the experiment
Source of Light So that the frequency of the light By using the same pins that will
wave remains constant be observed.
Uniform glass slab (No So that there is no gap between Making sure to take a new and
irregularities) the glass slab, and it is purely well-maintained glass slab that
made from a single substance so has been manufactured by a
that there is no refraction inside well-known and reliable
the slab leading to errors. company.

Equipment and apparatus:

 1 drawing board or cardboard (A4)
 4 straight pins
 1 white sheet of paper (A4)
 1 rectangular glass slab
 1 Protractor (D)
 1 measuring scale (30cm)
 1 sharp HB pencil
 4 thumb pins.
 Scientific calculator
Methodology:

We need to start by gathering all the materials. Note that the same glass slab should be used
throughout the experiment to make sure that the refractive index remains constant. Once we have
gathered all these materials, we need to follow the following steps

Step 1: Place the white sheet of paper on the drawing board and pin all the sheet's corners using the 4
thumb pins. The white sheet is to draw the readings and have clarity of vision.

Step 2: Place the glass slab in the middle of the sheet and trace its boundaries with a sharp HB pencil.
Label the sides ABCD.

Step 3: On the side AB, mark a point and label it as E. This will be the incident point.

Step 4: Draw a line dashed line perpendicular to the glass slab from point E, this will be the normal.
Draw a line at angle 30° to the normal. This will be the incident ray, draw the arrows on the line
pointing towards to glass slab.

Step 5: Place 2 straight pins on the incident ray and place the glass slab on ABCD.

Step 6: Observe the pins through the plane of the glass slab from the CD side and move your head until
you observe the 2 pins in a straight line.

This is wrong.
This is right.

Step 7: Close one eye and place the other 2 straight pins on the CD side so that all the 4 pins appear to
be in a straight line.

Step 8: Remove the slab and pins. Make a line from the 2 pins you placed on the CD side and connect
it to the boundary of the glass slab CD. This will be the emergent ray, draw the arrows pointing away
from the glass slab.

Step 9: Draw a normal where the emergent ray intersects. Now connect the points where both the
incident normal and emergent normal intersect the boundary of the glass slab. This will be the
refracted ray, draw the arrows pointing towards the emergent normal.

Step 10: Label the incident, refracted and emergent angle with i, r and e respectively. Then measure
them with a protractor and write their values.

Step 11: Extend the incident ray with a straight dashed line through the glass slab till it crosses the
glass slab. Draw a normal at the point where this extended line meets the CD. Make an arrow between
the emergent ray and this extended ray and label it as lateral displacement.
Your sheet of paper should look like the following image.
Step 12: Repeat the experiment with angle of incidence as 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°.

Step 13: Collect the raw data from the diagram and write down the angle of incidence, angle of
refraction, sin of angle of incidence, sin of angle of refraction. From this information we can calculate
the refractive index by dividing the sin of angle of incidence by the sin of angle of refraction.
Sin(i)/Sin(r) = µ
Data Collection: (Raw data)

Readings:

Reading 1 Angle of incidence 30°

Reading 2 Angle of incidence 35°

Reading 3 Angle of incidence 40°

Reading 4 Angle of incidence 45°

Reading 5 Angle of incidence 50°

Reading 6 Angle of incidence 55°

Reading 7 Angle of incidence 60°

S. No Angle of Sini Angel of Sin r Refractive

incidence refraction index
1. 30° 0.5 20° 0.342 1.46
2. 35° 0.574 23° 0.391 1.47
3. 40° 0.643 25° 0.423 1.52
4. 45° 0.707 28° 0.469 1.51
5. 50° 0.766 30° 0.5 1.53
6. 55° 0.819 33° 0.545 1.50
7. 60° 0.866 35° 0.574 1.51

Calculations:

Sin(30)/ Sin(20)= 1.46

Sin(35)/ Sin(23)= 1.47
Sin(40)/ Sin(25)= 1.52
Sin(45)/ Sin(28)= 1.51
Sin(50)/ Sin(30)= 1.53
Sin(55)/ Sin(33)=1.50
Sin(60)/ Sin(35)=1.51
Data Processing/interpretation:

Sin(i) Sin(r)
0 0
0.5 0.342
0.574 0.391
0.643 0.423
0.707 0.469
0.766 0.5
0.819 0.545
0.866 0.574

Relationship Between Angle Of Incidence And

Angle Of Refraction
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
Sin(i)

0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Sin(r)

Slope intercept form of the graph:

Y= mx + c

Gradient= (0.866-0.5)/(0.574-0.342) = 1.58

Where Y= sin(i), x= sin(r), m= gradient, c= constant

Sin(i)= 1.58 * sin(r) +c

0.5= 1.58* 0.342 +c

 0.5= 0.54036 +c
 0.5-0.54036= c

 c=-0.04

 c≈0

 sin(i)= 1.58 * sin(r)

Possible sources of errors:

There could have been an error in the experiment due to a parallax while placing the pins in a straight
line. The value of the refractive index I received from my experiment was 1.58, and glass slabs hold a
constant refractive index of 1.50.
Therefore, observed value of µ= 1.50
Calculated value of µ=1.58
%Error = [(Calculated value - observed value) / observed value] *100
%Error = [( 1.5- 1.50 ) / 1.50 ] *100
%Error = 5.34%
Conclusion:

This investigation allowed me to explore how the angle of incidence affects the angle of refraction. The
Snell's law states that the sin of angle of incidence is directly proportional to the sin of angle of
refraction. Through processing our data collected in this experiment, we can clearly observe that the sin
of angle of incident and the sin of angle of refraction are directly proportional as depicted by the line of
best. As the sin(i) increases, the sin(r) also increases, and the graph passes through the origin. My data
demonstrates the same trend as the Snell's law; hence we can conclude that my experiment was
successful, and the hypothesis was correct.

Evaluation:
This experiment validates my hypothesis. In the beginning of the experiment, I hypothesised that the
angle of incidence will be directly proportional to the angle of refraction. The raw data that I collected
shows increase in refracted angle as the incident angle is increasing. After processing the data and
making a graph I observed that there was a positive gradient of the line of best fit and the readings
showed a positive correlation. This means that the scientific data measured by my investigation agreed
with my prediction of the hypothesis based on theoretical research.

The strength of my experiment was that we controlled our variables and used good quality equipment
that allowed us to minimise the technical errors. Another strength was that I conducted proper in-depth
theoretical research before conducting the experiment to be aware and sure about everything. I believe
that taking not just 3-4 readings, but 7 readings made my experiment more reliable which was another
major strength.

The limitations of my experiment were that there were human errors due to parallaxes while placing the
pins. We calculated our percentage error to be 5.34%, which is quite high but acceptable on high school
level. Another limitation was that the pins weren't very strong and the drawing board was too hard
which made the pins bend as we tried to push them. While observing if the pins are in a straight line,
even though the points where they are placed are straight due to the bending there could have been an
error. Another limitation could have been that while drawing the lines, there could have been an error in
the angle drawn. Construction errors of such type could have varied the value.

We could improve the experiment and reduce these errors by using a laser instead of using pins, because
then we don't have to observe where the pins meet in a straight line. We will be able to observe the path
of the laser on the paper itself. We could change the pins to a red laser in the methodology and also add
that we should keep the room dimly lighted and close any curtains and windows to increase the relative
intensity of the laser. This will make the red laser beam more clearly visible on the white A4 sheet
allowing for more accurate results. To make the experiment more reliable we could take each reading 3
times and take their average so that the human error splits over a greater value and decreases as a
percentage. This would also eliminate the construction errors or diminish them to a point where they are
insignificant.

Now that we have verified the Snell’s law and understood refraction of light. These are some
practical applications of it

Suggestions for spearing a fish:

While spear fishing, one must always account for the refraction. The fish is not actually where it
appears to be. As we can see in the image below (figure 9), the light coming from the fish bends to the
left (away from the normal) when it leaves the water. Water is optically denser than air hence the
angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence. Our brain assumes that light always travels
in a straight line, but it is not true. Light takes the path of shortest time, as stated by Fermat's law. We
see the fish assuming that the light was travelling in a straight line and we observe it away from its
actual position. This distance between the actual fish and the image of the fish that we see is the
lateral displacement. This is the same principal as the one we applied while drawing the lateral
displacement in our glass slab experiment.

Figure 9 Refraction of light from fish

Another thing we need to take consideration of is the depth. The depth of the fish that we see is the
Apparent depth and the depth of the actual fish is the real depth. The apparent depth is the virtual depth,
as the light appears to come from a point where it isn't actually there. There is a inverse relationship
between the apparent depth and the refractive index. The refractive index is equal to the real depth
divided by the apparent depth, if the rarer medium has refractive index of 1.
The equation is
µ2 / µ1 = Apparent depth / Real depth
where µ2 is the refractive index of the rarer medium and µ1 is the refractive index of the denser medium.
When the refractive index of rarer medium (µ2) is equal to 1 then:
1 / µ = Apparent depth / Real depth
Hence, µ= Real depth / Apparent depth

Figure 10 Apparent depth of fish

Fishermen need to account for the lateral displacement and the apparent depth both when they are spear
fishing. It is impossible to accurately calculate the values and throw accordingly in real time, but with
experience and approximation they are able to catch the fish due to its size compensating for an error
value. This is why the fishermen aim way below where they can see the fish to catch it as shown in the
image below (figure 11).
Figure 11 Fisherman accounting for apparent depth and lateral displacement
Applications of refraction in optical industry:

Refraction is widely used in optics and technology. The human eye lens loses its elasticity due to its
tendency of adjusting the focal length, this leads to the light not focusing on the retina. This is why we
use our knowledge of refraction to make lenses to correct our vision. Lenses compensate for the loss of
elasticity in our eyes and focus the light in the right spot on the retina. The figure 12 depicts how a
human eye with need of vision correction bends light. The rays are converging ahead of the retina
which is forming a blurry image. The concave lens corrects the bending of light and converges the rays
at the retina forming a clear image.

Figure 12 Ray diagram of human eye for nearsightedness

BIBLIOGRAPHY (MLA 8) -

Dispersion of Light by Prism | Definition, Examples, Diagrams - TOPPR.

https://www.toppr.com/ask/content/concept/dispersion-of-light-by-prism-210300/

“Refractive Disorders.” Athens Eye Hospital, https://www.athenseyehospital.gr/en/for-

patients/refractive-disorders/

“Physics Tutorial: Snell's Law of Refraction.” The Physics Classroom,

https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-2/Snell-s-Law

“Final Lab Report Report on Snell's Law - Name- Subject- Date- College Name- Submitted to- Final
Lab.” StuDocu, https://www.studocu.com/en-us/document/portland-state-university/lab-for-ph-
202212222/final-lab-report-report-on-snells-law/16441096

“Total Internal Reflection.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.,

https://www.britannica.com/science/total-internal-reflection

Admin. “Snell's Law Formula: Definition and Examples.” BYJUS, BYJU'S, 29 Sept. 2020,
https://byjus.com/snells-law-
formula/#:~:text=Snell's%20law%20has%20a%20wide,the%20refractive%20index%20of%20liqu
ids

Admin, Byju's. “Total Internal Reflection - Definition, Formula, Conditions, Examples, Videos, and
Faqs.” BYJUS, BYJU'S, 18 Apr. 2022, https://byjus.com/physics/total-internal-reflection/

“Snell's Law of Refraction.” Northwestern Undergraduate Physics Labs,

https://groups.physics.northwestern.edu/lab/

Unknown. “Form 4: 5.3 Understanding Total Internal Reflection.” FORM 4: 5.3 UNDERSTANDING
TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION, 3 May 2015,
https://missdebbiephysics.blogspot.com/2015/05/form-4-53-understanding-total-internal.html

“Mammoth Memory.” Mammoth Memory, https://mammothmemory.net/

Admin. “Apparent Depth.” BYJUS, BYJU'S, 27 Apr. 2022, https://byjus.com/jee/apparent-depth/

YouTube, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/?watch

What Is Myopia? State the Two Cause of Myopia. with the Help of ...
https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/i-what-is-myopia-state-the-two-cause-of-myopia-with-the-
help-of-labelled/

“Refraction:” Infoplease, Infoplease,

https://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/science/physics/concepts/refraction/applications-of-
refraction#:~:text=Applications%20of%20Refraction&text=A%20lens%20uses%20refraction%20
to,mirage%20and%20other%20optical%20illusions