Does Light Bend towards or away from the Normal as it Enters the Glass Block

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Introduction

A general introduction to the topic, including why the investigation is important.

This investigation will inquire about the nature of light and how it behaves when a beam of light travels through a clear glass block. This investigation is important so the way light behaves can be investigated further, as this investigation will act as the basis of knowledge for future experiments and investigations. It will also help understand the behaviour of light when it travels through different objects.

The aim of the investigation.

The aim of the investigation is to see whether light bends towards or away from the normal as it enters the glass block.

Background information based on your research in Task 1 (400 words)

Light is a form of energy, it gives off electromagnetic energy. Light travels at 300000 km/h and can either

Be reflected off an object, travel through it, or be absorbed by the object. There are multiple properties of light that have been identified; they are Frequency, Wavelength Spectrum, Polarisation, Propagation direction and intensity. (Wikipedia, 2014) Light comes from multiple sources, the main one on earth is the sun, however there are other sources, such as lights/lamps and fire. Without light, we would not be able to see anything, as our optic nerve interprets light and other aspects as colour and allows us to see. Reflection is light radiation that is viewable by the eyes of humans. It is part of the reason why we can see so well. (Wikipedia, 2014) Another element of light is refraction. This is when a wave of light changes direction (bends) when it passes through different mediums, such as water, glass and others. (See diagram 1.1) Total internal reflection is another property that l...

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...ks: http://science.howstuffworks.com/light3.htm

Nave, R. (2010). Total Internal Reflection. Retrieved 05 28, 2014, from Hyperphysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/phyopt/totint.html

Nave, R. (n.d.). Refraction of light. Retrieved from hyperphsysics: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/geoopt/refr.html

Pearson PLC. (2012). Pearson Science 9. Melbourne: Pearson Australia.

Physics Classroom. (n.d.). The Law of Reflection. Retrieved May 28, 2014, from Physics Classroom: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refln/Lesson-1/The-Law-of-Reflection

Rockyview. (2009). Module 5—Wave Theory of Light. Retrieved 05 28, 2014, from Rockyview: http://resource.rockyview.ab.ca/rvlc/physics30_BU/images/m5/p30_m5_042_l.jpg

Wikipedia. (2014, 04 23). Light Reflection. Retrieved 05 28, 2014, from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_reflection

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