Question 32
Think like a scientist: Drawing accurate ray diagrams
In this investigation, you will make accurate ray diagrams from rays of light.
Work in groups of three or four. Make the room as dark as possible for this activity.
You will need:
• equipment shown in the diagram
Method
1 Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram. The diagram shows the equipment viewed from above.
2 Use the pencil to draw around the glass block.
3 Switch on the ray box and position it so the light ray makes an angle with the glass surface.
4 Use the pencil to mark the position of the incident ray in two places: about 5 cm away from the glass block and where it meets the glass block.
5 Do the same for the ray that emerges from the glass block on the other side.
6 Switch off the ray box and lift the glass block off the paper.
7 Use the ruler to join up the light rays.
8 Use the protractor to draw a normal at both surfaces of the glass block.
9 Measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection at both surfaces.
10 Repeat steps 2–9, using different angles and a new piece of paper each time. Make sure you include an angle of incidence of zero.
Editorial clarification: step 9 prints “angle of reflection”; this refraction investigation requires the angle of refraction. Measure the incident and refracted rays at each surface.
Describe the trend shown in the graph.
In this investigation, you will make accurate ray diagrams from rays of light.
Work in groups of three or four. Make the room as dark as possible for this activity.
You will need:
• equipment shown in the diagram
Method
1 Set up the equipment as shown in the diagram. The diagram shows the equipment viewed from above.
2 Use the pencil to draw around the glass block.
3 Switch on the ray box and position it so the light ray makes an angle with the glass surface.
4 Use the pencil to mark the position of the incident ray in two places: about 5 cm away from the glass block and where it meets the glass block.
5 Do the same for the ray that emerges from the glass block on the other side.
6 Switch off the ray box and lift the glass block off the paper.
7 Use the ruler to join up the light rays.
8 Use the protractor to draw a normal at both surfaces of the glass block.
9 Measure the angle of incidence and angle of reflection at both surfaces.
10 Repeat steps 2–9, using different angles and a new piece of paper each time. Make sure you include an angle of incidence of zero.
Editorial clarification: step 9 prints “angle of reflection”; this refraction investigation requires the angle of refraction. Measure the incident and refracted rays at each surface.
Describe the trend shown in the graph.
