Science 8 ● Semester A
Waves Portfolio
Virtual Lab
Instructions:
Read through the lab completely before beginning the experiment. Check the Lab Rubric at the end of this document for grading.
Collect all necessary materials before beginning the lab.
Create a copy of this lab so you can fill it out as you go. Do not request editing access. You can print it and write on it, or you can make a copy in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.
Save a finished copy of this worksheet that includes your answers. Upload it into the Unit 2 Lesson 13 Waves Apply Dropbox in Connexus.
Reach out to your science teacher if you have any questions!
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Bending Light
Instructions: Carefully read the directions to complete the virtual tasks in order. Then answer each of the questions given.
I. Bending Light Intro:
→ Click the “Intro” tab.
→ Turn on the laser by clicking the red button. You will see the light getting reflected and refracted. Now move the laser pointer left and right by clicking and holding on the silver part and moving it.
→ Move the yellow protractor over the light. View the picture below for placement.
→ Move the laser so that the Angle of Incidence (light coming off the pointer) is 30°, just like in the picture above.
→ Enter the Angle of Refraction for 30° in the table below. Toggle between mediums on the right side of the simulation to change the mediums to help you complete the table below.
→ Maneuver the pointer for each Angle of Incidence listed in the table below and enter the angle of refraction for each angle of incidence.
→ Repeat steps #5 and #6 for each angle of incidence to help you complete the table below.
II. Bending Light Table:
Angle of Incidence
Angle of Refraction
Air to Water
Air to Glass
Glass to Water
30°
°
°
°
45°
°
°
°
60°
°
°
°
90°
°
°
°
III. Bending Light Questions:
1. What is the line in the picture below? (Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction, Absorption) Explain your answer.
Type Answer HERE:
2. How does the phenomenon of refraction differ from that of reflection, and what are the key factors that influence the behavior of light in each process?
Type Answer HERE:
3. What happens to the Angle of Refraction as the medium becomes denser?
Type Answer HERE:
1. The line in the picture is the boundary between the two mediums where light transitions from one medium to another. This is called refraction.
2. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another medium. Reflection, on the other hand, is the bouncing back of light from a surface. The key factor that influences the behavior of light in reflection is the angle at which the light strikes the surface, known as the angle of incidence. The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection. In refraction, the key factor that influences the behavior of light is the change in speed as it passes from one medium to another, which causes the light to bend. The angle of refraction is determined by Snell's Law, which states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speeds of light in the two mediums.
3. As the medium becomes denser, the angle of refraction decreases. This is because the speed of light decreases as it enters a denser medium, causing the light to bend more towards the normal line.