ABSTRACT
This chapter presents four experimental lab cases that light passing through a water layer as an optical component. The experimental cases include observing laser light passing through a water layer, measuring the angle of incidence and angle of refraction, measuring and calculating the critical angle at the water–air interface, and measuring the total internal reflection occurring at the water–air interface. The cases in the experiment use the theoretical principles of light reflection, refraction, and total internal reflection for light passing through optical components. These principles are explained by the laws of the reflection and refraction of light. The laws of reflection and refraction govern the behaviour of light incident on a flat surface, separating two optical media. Light propagation through optical components is explained by these laws, as well as by critical and total internal reflection. Total internal reflection can occur only when light in one medium encounters an interface with another medium that has a lower index of refraction.
