- #1
michaelw
- 80
- 0
How will it bend? Or will it not bend at all?
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Homework Help Overview
The discussion revolves around the behavior of light as it transitions between different media, specifically when entering a new medium perpendicularly. The subject area includes optics and the principles governing refraction, particularly Snell's Law.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking
Approaches and Questions Raised
- Participants are questioning whether light will bend when entering a new medium perpendicularly and what implications Snell's Law has in this scenario. There are attempts to apply Snell's Law to specific cases, such as light moving from glass to air, while also discussing the implications of isotropic media on the direction of bending.
Discussion Status
The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of how light behaves at the interface of two media. Some guidance has been offered regarding the application of Snell's Law, but there is no consensus on the implications of the physical setup or the behavior of light.
Contextual Notes
Participants are considering the assumptions related to the isotropy of the medium and the implications of entering perpendicularly, which may not have been fully defined or agreed upon.
- #2
Brad Barker
- 429
- 0
michaelw said:
what would snell's law imply?
- #3
michaelw
- 80
- 0
i don't know :/
lets say it goes from glass to air
1.5 = sin(theta)
but what does that say about theta?
lets say it goes from glass to air
1.5 = sin(theta)
but what does that say about theta?
- #4
Lyuokdea
- 154
- 0
Hint, the correct equation for Snell's Law is:
[tex]n_{1} sin(\theta_1) = n_{2} sin(\theta_2)[/tex]
Where [itex]\theta_1[/itex] and [itex]\theta_2[/itex] are the angle from the normal.
~Lyuokdea
[tex]n_{1} sin(\theta_1) = n_{2} sin(\theta_2)[/tex]
Where [itex]\theta_1[/itex] and [itex]\theta_2[/itex] are the angle from the normal.
~Lyuokdea
- #5
James R
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
- 599
- 15
michaelw:
Looks like you should have a sin(zero) factor in there.
Looks like you should have a sin(zero) factor in there.
- #6
Galileo
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
- 1,980
- 7
From a physical point of view. If the medium is isotropic, why would the light bend in any particular preferred direction? Suppose it bend to the right from on standpoint. If you stand on the other side of the medium it would turn left while the physical situation is identical.
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