Some more angles and refraction a little twist this time

In summary, the question asks about the height of the sun above the horizon for a fisherman in a boat above an underwater diver who sees the sun at 50 degrees above the horizontal. Using the formula n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2, the angle of incidence was found to be 40 degrees. However, this is not the final answer as it represents the angle between the vertical and the line connecting the sun and the fisherman's boat.
  • #1
aliaze1
174
1

Homework Statement



An underwater diver sees the sun 50 degrees above horizontal.

How high is the sun above the horizon to a fisherman in a boat above the diver?

Homework Equations



n΄sinθ΄ = n¹sinθ¹

or, if that is confusing,

n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2


The Attempt at a Solution



I visualized it like this:

http://photo.ringo.com/232/232646988O877654972.jpg

http://photo.ringo.com/232/232646988O877654972.jpg

and using that, found the other angle (θ2, 'opposite' to x) as 90-50 = 40

so using the formula, i got this:

(1)sin(x) = 1.33 sin (40),
x =58.7485

computer says this is incorrect, any help? thanks
 
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  • #2
You didn't get x... You got the angle of incidence which is 90-x.
 
  • #3
Thanks!
 

Related to Some more angles and refraction a little twist this time

What is refraction and how does it relate to angles?

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a medium with a different density. This can cause a change in the direction of light, which can affect the angle at which it reaches our eyes.

How does the angle of incidence affect refraction?

The angle of incidence, which is the angle at which light enters a medium, determines the amount of refraction that will occur. A steeper angle of incidence will result in a larger change in direction, while a smaller angle of incidence will result in a smaller change.

What is the relationship between the angle of refraction and the index of refraction?

The angle of refraction is directly related to the index of refraction, which is a measure of how much a medium slows down light. The higher the index of refraction, the more the light will be bent and the larger the angle of refraction will be.

How does refraction affect the appearance of objects in water?

Refraction is responsible for making objects appear closer or larger when viewed through water. This is because light is bent as it passes through the water, making the object appear to be in a different location.

Can refraction be observed in everyday life?

Yes, refraction can be observed in many everyday situations. For example, when looking at a straw in a glass of water, the straw appears to be bent at the surface of the water due to refraction. Refraction also plays a role in the appearance of objects through glass or lenses, and in the formation of rainbows.

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