Practical: Investigating the Reflection and Refraction of Light

Welcome to our practical lesson on investigating the reflection and refraction of light! In this video, we'll guide you through a hands-on exploration of light's fascinating behaviours when it encounters different surfaces and materials. You'll discover how to measure and compare angles of incidence, reflection, and refraction using acrylic and glass blocks.
🔍 In this practical, you will learn how to:
Set up an experiment to observe the reflection of light, identifying equal angles of incidence and reflection.
Investigate refraction, observing how light bends when it passes from air into different materials like acrylic and glass.
Use a ray box, protractor, and ruler to trace light paths and measure angles accurately.
Record experimental data and analyse it to confirm the laws of reflection and refraction.
🔑 Key practical skills covered:
Drawing and using normal lines as a reference for measuring angles in experiments.
Practically demonstrating the law of reflection - where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection.
Observing how different materials affect the bending of light rays and understanding the concept of refractive index.
By participating in this practical, you will gain hands-on experience with optical phenomena, deepening your understanding of how light interacts with materials in real-world applications like eyeglasses, cameras, and fibre optics.
🤔 Common student questions answered:
How do you measure the angle of incidence and reflection in a light experiment?
What is the difference in light refraction between acrylic and glass?
How does the refractive index affect the bending of light?
Why is the law of reflection important in understanding light behaviour?
How can light refraction be applied in everyday technologies?
Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their GCSE Physics understanding, this lesson brings the principles of light to life through interactive learning. Watch more lessons on GCSE Science at Sophos Education to continue your exploration into the wonders of physics!
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