How Do You Calculate Light Refraction Angles Through Quartz?

[myersb05]

(SOLVED) Calculator Entry ErrorAngles of Reflection of Light

A ray of light strikes a flat 2.00 cm thick block of fused quartz (n = 1.458) at an angle of θ = 27.0° with the normal (Fig. P22.18). Trace the light beam through the fused quartz and find the angles of incidence and refraction at each surface.



Snell's Law=n1sintheta1=n2sintheta2



Since the ray of light began in air, I used 1*sin(27)=1.458*sin(x) and solved but my TI-89 gave me 360*@n6+.449605 which makes no sense to me. Could I get some guidance please?
I have to find the angles as it enters and leaves the quartz

 

[cryptoguy]

is your calculator in degree mode?

 

[baba89]

.
I would first double check the calculations and make sure all units are consistent. It is possible that the calculator entry error was caused by using different units for the angles (degrees vs. radians) or by not converting the thickness of the quartz block to the same units as the wavelength of light.

If the calculations are correct, then the result from the calculator may be in radians and can be converted to degrees by multiplying by 180/π. So the angle of refraction at the first surface would be approximately 24.6° and the angle of incidence at the second surface would be approximately 27.4°.

It is also important to note that the angles of incidence and refraction are measured with respect to the normal, so the incident angle of 27.0° is already the angle between the incident ray and the normal. Therefore, the angle of incidence at the first surface would be 27.0° and the angle of refraction at the second surface would be 24.6°.

In general, it is always a good idea to double check calculations and make sure all units are consistent to avoid entry errors and ensure accurate results.