Final answer:
To determine if light refracts through glass, measure the angle of incidence in air and compare it to the angle of refraction as the light passes through the glass.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine whether light is refracting when passing through a piece of glass, the student could use the experimental procedure of measuring the angle of incidence (the angle at which the light beam enters the glass) and the angle of refraction (the angle at which the light beam bends within the glass). Comparison of these angles can reveal whether refraction is occurring according to Snell's Law.
The correct answer to the student's question is that they should:
- Measure the angle of incidence of the light beam in air before it enters the piece of glass.
- Measure the angle of refraction of the light beam as it passes through the glass.
- Compare the two angles to determine if refraction is occurring. If the angles are different, this indicates that light is indeed being refracted as it enters the glass.
This procedure is based on the principle that light changes speed and direction when moving from one medium to another with a different index of refraction, causing the light to bend. The phenomenon can be explored and confirmed using a protractor or a similar measuring tool in a lab setting.