Semi Circular Glass Slab

The semi circular glass slab is an optical laboratory component used for demonstrating refraction, critical angle and total internal reflection. It is intended for secondary-school, college and university physics laboratories where students need a clear, hands-on method for tracing light through curved and plane glass surfaces.

Product Description

The STEMAids Semi Circular Glass Slab provides two different optical boundaries: one curved face and one plane face. When a light ray is directed through the centre of curvature of the curved surface, it enters or leaves that surface approximately along the normal, reducing refraction at that boundary.

This geometry allows students to focus on refraction at the plane surface and investigate how the emergent ray changes with the angle of incidence. The exact glass composition, radius, thickness and optical surface quality are not published. Buyers should verify these details before combining the slab with other physics laboratory apparatus.

Key Features

• Semi-circular geometry: Provides one curved surface and one plane refracting surface for controlled ray experiments.
• Clear ray-path observation: Supports visible tracing of incident, refracted and emergent light rays.
• Critical-angle demonstration: Allows students to increase the internal angle until the refracted ray travels along the boundary.
• Total internal reflection study: Demonstrates internal reflection when the critical-angle conditions are satisfied.
• Quantitative optics work: Supports angle measurement and refractive-index calculations using Snell’s law.
• Reusable optical component: Suitable for repeated supervised practicals when protected from scratches and impact.
• Passive operation: Requires no electrical supply; a suitable external ray source is needed.

Technical Specifications

What’s Included in the Kit

• One Semi Circular Glass Slab
• Protective storage case
• Ray-tracing sheet or activity mat
• Laser ray box or light source
• Protractor and experiment guide

Request the approved dimensions and supply scope from the STEMAids institutional sales team.

Applications / Uses

• Demonstrating refraction at a glass-air boundary.
• Verifying Snell’s law through measured ray angles.
• Determining the critical angle of the slab material.
• Demonstrating total internal reflection.
• Estimating the refractive index of the glass.
• Comparing normal incidence with oblique incidence.
• Supporting ray-optics practicals and science demonstrations.

How to Use the Semi Circular Glass Slab

1. Place the slab on clean paper or a suitable ray-tracing board.
2. Trace the outline of the slab and mark the centre of curvature.
3. Direct a narrow light ray toward the curved face through the marked centre.
4. Observe the ray as it reaches the plane glass-air boundary.
5. Mark the incident and emergent ray paths without moving the slab.
6. Increase the internal angle gradually to locate the critical-angle condition.
7. Continue increasing the angle to observe total internal reflection.
8. Measure the angles and apply the relevant optics relationship.

Safety note: Handle the slab by its edges and do not use it if chipped or cracked. Never direct a laser beam toward the eyes or reflective jewellery.

Care & Maintenance

• Remove dust with clean air or a soft optical brush before wiping.
• Clean the faces with lens tissue and a suitable optical cleaner.
• Store the slab in a padded, dry and dust-free container.
• Protect all edges and optical surfaces from impact and abrasion.

Why Choose STEMAids

STEMAids supplies educational science equipment, laboratory learning products and hands-on STEM resources. Its range supports practical instruction in schools, colleges and institutional laboratories. The company accommodates classroom, bulk and institutional procurement requirements. Product-specific dimensions, optical quality and accessories should be confirmed in the approved quotation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a semi circular glass slab used for?

It is used to study refraction, critical angle and total internal reflection through a transparent optical medium.

Why is the glass slab semi-circular?

The curved surface allows a ray aimed through the centre of curvature to meet that surface normally. This reduces refraction there and simplifies analysis at the plane surface.

Can it be used to determine refractive index?

Yes. Refractive index can be estimated from measured angles using Snell’s law or from the measured critical angle.

What type of glass is used?

The exact optical-glass composition is not published. Buyers should request material and refractive-index data when these values are required.

Is a laser ray box included?

The inclusion of a laser or ray box is not verified. Treat the light source as a separate component unless listed in the approved quotation.

Is the slab suitable for school laboratories?

Yes. It supports supervised secondary-school and undergraduate ray-optics experiments when used with an appropriate light source.