Last updated on Sep 22, 2026

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light (Leaving Cert Physics): Flashcards

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3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

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Refraction

Light changing direction when passing between materials

Snell's Law formula

$n = \frac{\sin i}{\sin r}$

$n$ in Snell's Law

Refractive index of the material

$i$ in Snell's Law

Angle of incidence (measured from normal)

$r$ in Snell's Law

Angle of refraction (measured from normal)

Normal in refraction

Line perpendicular to surface at point light enters

Value of $\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}$

Constant for a material; equals refractive index

Slope of $\sin i$ vs $\sin r$ graph

Refractive index of the glass block

Where $\sin i$ vs $\sin r$ graph passes

Through the origin

Refractive index for air to denser material

Always greater than 1

Parallax error in refraction experiment

Error when reading angles on protractor

Why keep incident/emergent marks far apart

Improves accuracy and reduces percentage errors

Explore Leaving Cert Physics Revision Notes by Topics

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

Show more

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

Explore Leaving Cert Physics Model Answers by Topics

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

Show more

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

Explore Leaving Cert Physics Quizzes by Topics

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

Show more

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

Explore Leaving Cert Physics Exam Questions by Topics

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.1 – Calculations of Refraction of Light

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

3.2 – Measuring the Critical Angle and Refractive Index

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

4.1 – Verifying the Lens Equation

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

5.1 – Investigating Constant Velocity Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

Show more

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.1 – Investigating Accelerated Motion Using a Trolley or Rider

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.2 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

6.3 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity Using a Simple Pendulum

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

7.1 – Verifying the Law of Vector Addition

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.1 – Investigating Force, Mass and Acceleration Relationships

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

8.2 – Investigating Conservation of Momentum

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

9.1 – Determining Acceleration Due to Gravity

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

10.1 – Investigating Conservation of Energy on a Ramp

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.1 – Investigating Work and Energy in Stretching or Compression

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

12.2 – Verifying Hooke’s Law

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

13.1 – Investigating Alcohol as a Thermometer Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.1 – Determining the Specific Heat Capacity of a Liquid

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

14.2 – Determining the Latent Heat of Fusion and Vaporisation

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

16.1 – Verifying the Stretching of a Spring (Tension Model)

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

17.1 – Measuring the Wavelength of Light

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage Relationships

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.2 – Investigating Resistance in Series and Parallel

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

22.3 – Investigating the Effect of Temperature on Resistance

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

23.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Filament Lamp

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

24.1 – Investigating Current and Voltage in a Semiconductor Diode

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