Water index of refraction

Experiment

1. Place the plastic semi-circle container, filled partly with water, on paper and shine the laser through the plastic at an angle, close to the center of the flat side.

2. Now record on the paper the laser beam positions and the semi-circle position. Include also the reflected beam  as well as the beam that passes through the water.

Analysis

• On the paper, sketch/label in details such as incident, reflected and refracted beams. Outline/label the plastic semi-circle container of water. Make it obvious on the paper what was happening.
• Measure the angles of refraction with a protractor on the paper sketch
• Determine the index of refraction for water.

Questions

• How does the plastic holder affect your determination of n?
• How does the semi-circle shape affect the exit angle of the light beam.