Login or Sign Up
Menu
Ask a New Question

Which is a good experiment that shows light changes when it enters a new medium?

Use of a prism is most common, and simple to set up.

thanks

Use mirrors

I really need help on this project. What experiment did you end up doing?

You can use a water bottle with a hole in it and point a laser at the opposite side of the bottle horizontally whilst water is pouring out of the hole, this will show the light bending.

One experiment that clearly demonstrates how light changes when it enters a new medium is the experiment with a glass prism. This experiment beautifully illustrates the process of refraction, where light bends as it enters a different medium, in this case, glass.

To perform this experiment, you will need a glass prism, a light source (such as a flashlight or laser), a dark room, and a white screen or wall to project the light onto. Here is how you can conduct the experiment:

1. Set up the dark room by closing the curtains or turning off the lights to minimize external interference.

2. Place the glass prism on a table or any stable surface, ensuring that it is clear of any obstructions.

3. Position the light source so that the light passes through the prism. You can do this by pointing the flashlight directly towards the prism or using a laser pointer.

4. Direct the light through one of the flat surfaces of the prism and observe the light as it emerges on the other side.

5. On the white screen or wall placed across from the prism, you will notice the light splitting into a spectrum of colors, creating a beautiful rainbow-like pattern called a dispersion.

This experiment demonstrates how light changes its direction when it enters a new medium. As the light passes through the prism, its speed changes due to the difference in optical density between air and glass. This change in speed causes the light to bend or refract, resulting in the separation of colors.

By performing this experiment, you can effectively visualize and understand how light behaves when it enters a new medium, showcasing the wonders of refraction.