Angle of refraction calculator challenge
In this activity, students choose two types of transparent substance. They then enter the angle of the incident ray in the spreadsheet calculator, and the angle of the refracted ray is calculated for them.
By the end of this activity, students should be able to:
use a spreadsheet calculator to calculate the angle of refraction
define the terms ‘incident ray’, ‘refracted ray’ and ‘normal’
recall the refractive index values for water and air
describe how the amount of refraction (bending) depends on the refractive index of the two substances light is passing between
describe the direction that light bends when it passes into a substance with a higher refractive index
describe the direction that light bends when it passes into a substance with a lower refractive index
find the maximum angle possible before all light is totally internally reflected when light travels from a more-dense substance (such as water) into a less-dense substance (such as air).
Refraction
By using the example of spearing a fish, Associate Professor Gordon Sanderson, an ophthalmologist from Otago University, explains the principle of refraction.
Download the Excel file (see link below) for the Angle of refraction calculator.
Download the Word file (see link below) for:
introduction/background notes
what you need
what to do
student record sheet.
