Bending light through a triangular glass prism: Observational Experiment

Aim

To observe the behavior of light at the border of two media.

Prior Knowledge

• Propagation of light in the same medium.
• Reflection.
• understanding of what a normal is and how to measure angles.

Description of the Experiment

Observe the experiment and describe your observations as completely as possible. What happens ot the ray of light when it hits the glass? When it exits the glass?

Youtube movies can be stepped frame by frame using the , and . keys on your keyboard. If you want to download the movie to your computer, right-click or control-click HERE.

Questions

• What happens ot the beam of light when it hits the glass prism? When it exits the glass prism?
• Compare the angles of incidence and refraction before the beam of light hits the rectangular prism and after it exist the prism.
• Compare the direction of light before it hits the rectangular prism and after it exist the prism.