The objective is for a team of three students to redirect a laser beam, around a barrier, back to the original point of incidence on a screen.

• A laser will be placed at one end of a table with a screen at the other end, such that the laser beam is incident on a bullseye on the screen.


• Neither the laser nor the screen may be moved during the competition.


• A barrier will be introduced in the light path of the laser.


• The job of the team is to redirect the beam around the barrier and hit the bullseye.


• To redirect the beam, you will be provided: a). A semicircular prism of refractive index n = 1.5 and b). A 45-45-90 degree triangular prism also of refractive index n = 1.5


• The original light path will be marked on the table as a reference. You will also be provided sheets of paper, protractors, rulers, and pencils.

• When the teams arrive, they can examine the setup, and will receive starting times.


• At the appointed time, the team will be given five minutes to arrange the two prisms.


• The judge will then turn the laser on, and measure the distance from the beams landing spot to the bullseye.


• The team closet to the bullseye wins.