An experiment was set up to determine the refractive index of a material - Leaving Cert Physics - Question 2 - 2016

On the diagram, indicate the following measurements:

• The angle of incidence ($i$), which is the angle between the incident ray and the normal.
• The angle of refraction ($r$), which is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal.
• The apparent depth, which relates to how deep the object appears in the medium compared to its real depth.

The instrument used to take these measurements is a protractor or a meter stick, which allows for accurate angle and distance measurements.

The refractive index ($n$) is calculated using the formula: $n = \frac{\sin(i)}{\sin(r)}$ where $i$ is the real depth and $r$ is the apparent depth. This relation helps in deriving the refractive index based on the angles measured.

The experiment should be repeated to ensure accuracy and reliability of results. Repetition helps to identify and mitigate errors that may skew the results, allowing for more consistent and trustworthy data.