Lab 5 Follow that Refracted Ray

							                                 Science 8
                     Unit C – Light & Optical Systems
                    Lab #5 – Follow that Refracted Ray
                                                         textbook page 202-203 reference


Curriculum Connection
    Investigate, measure and describe the refraction of light through
      different materials
Information
    You will work to design an experiment to study the behaviour of light
      as it passes through different materials. When you examined the
      path of light rays that reflected off a plane mirror, you discovered a
      pattern. Understanding this pattern helps you predict how light
      reflects off a flat surface.
Question
   Is there a pattern that describes the path of light during refraction?
Problem:
What is the effect of (manipulated variable) on (responding variable)?
   

Manipulated Variable: the variable that is changed by the experimenter
  

Responding Variable: the variable that responds to the changes
   

Controlled Variables: the variables that must remain constant to ensure
the results are reliable (select 3)
   
   
   

Hypothesis: make an educated guess with some kind of background
rationale. You can add background information but you do not need to do
research.
    
Procedure: use as many numbered steps as necessary to outline your
procedure. You might choose to draw a diagram. Be sure to peer edit to
make sure there are no errors or omissions in your lab group member’s
work.




Data Collection: Create a table in the space below to record your result.
You need to determine if you are collecting qualitative (descriptive) or
quantitative (numbers) data.

Title: the effect of (manipulated) on (responding)
Diagrams
    You need to create actual-sized diagrams from the data collected in
     your observations
    Each diagram should include the following:
         a. the path of the light ray going from the air, through the empty
            tray, and back into the air through the opposite side of the tray
         b. the path of the same incident rays when there is water in the
            tray
         c. the path of the light that travels through one corner of the
            tray, through the water, and out the adjacent side of the tray
            back into the air
         d. the paths of light travelling through some liquid other than
            water for the same incident ray you used in (a) and (b)
    If necessary, refer to the diagrams on page 203 of your textbook

Analysis

   1. Measure and record the size of each angle on your diagrams. Record
      the angles using the symbols i and r.

   2. Does light bend toward or away from the normal when it travels
      from air into another medium such as water? Did your results
      support your hypothesis?

   3. Write a statement that answers the question proposed by this lab.