Solve Refraction Problem 4: Find Angle of Refraction from Air to Glass

  • Thread starter Thread starter mustang
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Refraction
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around problems related to the refraction of light, specifically focusing on the transition of light from air to glass and the application of Snell's Law. Participants are exploring the angles of incidence and refraction in various scenarios involving different materials and their indices of refraction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand how to apply Snell's Law to find the angle of refraction for light entering glass from air. Some participants question the setup and the necessary formulas for different problems presented. Others suggest focusing on the derivation of the angle of refraction and the implications of the indices of refraction.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the application of Snell's Law, with some providing guidance on the necessary equations. There is a mix of attempts to solve specific problems, and some participants are encouraged to try problems independently while others seek clarification on the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about where to start with the problems and the formulas needed, indicating a potential gap in foundational understanding. The problems involve specific angles and indices of refraction, which may require additional context or information for complete resolution.

mustang
Messages
169
Reaction score
0
problem 4.
A ray of light traveling in air strikes a flat 2.00 cm tick block of glass (n=1.50) at an angle of 25.6 degrees with the normal.
Trace the light ray through the glass, and find the angle of refraction for light passing from air to glass. Answer in degrees.
Note: I don't know where to start.
Problem 6.
The angle of incidence and the angle of refraction for light going from air into a material with a higher index of refraction are 66.1 degrees and 42.2 degrees, respectively.
What is the index of refraction of this material?
Note: what formula should I use?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Use Snell's Law
 
angle problems

Problem 13.
A ray of light traveling in air strikes the midpoint of one face of an equiangular glass prism (n=1.65) at angle of exactly 30.0 degrees.
Trace the path of the light ray through the glass and find the angle of incidence of the ray at the bottom of the prism. Answer in degrees.
Note: The triangle is 60-60-60 degrees.


Problem 15.
Light strikes the surface of a prism, n=1.78. If the prism is surrounded by a fluid, what is the maximum index of refraction of the fluid that will still cause total internal reflection within the prism?
Note: The triangle is 90-45-45 triangle.
 
For problem 4:
Given: Angle of incidence = 25.6 degrees
n1 or medium1 = 1.00 (air)
n2 or medium2 = 1.50 (glass)
Required: Angle of Refraction
Equation: n1 x sin (angle of incidence) = n2 x sin (angle of refraction)
Derivation of the formula to get the angle of refraction:
Angle of Refraction = { n1 x sin (angle of incidence) / n2 } sin -1
Note: when we transpose the sin from one side to one another it becomes sin-1
Solution: (Substitution)
Angle of Refraction = { 1.00 x sin (25.6) / 1.50 } sin-1

Angle of Refraction = 16.74 degrees or 16 degrees, 44 minutes and 30.04 seconds in DMS

Why don't you try doing problem 6 for on your own this time? You will only need to do the same. Good luck..take note of the formula.. :) HInt: the new formula you're going to use is

n2 = n1 x sin (angle of incidence) / sin (angle of refraction) :)
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K