Angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the reflection and refraction of light, specifically addressing the angles involved when a ray strikes a mirror and a block of quartz. The angle of reflection is confirmed to be 53 degrees, leading to a total angle of 106 degrees between the incident and reflected rays. The index of refraction for quartz is calculated using the formula Nr = (1.54) (sin 30) / (sin 20), resulting in a value of 2.25. The conversation also clarifies the role of the index of refraction of air, which is 1, in the calculations for light transitioning from air to quartz.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law for refraction
  • Knowledge of angles of incidence and reflection
  • Familiarity with the concept of the index of refraction
  • Basic trigonometry, particularly sine functions
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  • Research Snell's Law and its applications in optics
  • Study the properties of different types of quartz and their indices of refraction
  • Learn about the behavior of light in various mediums, including air and water
  • Explore the differences between fused quartz and standard quartz
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Students and professionals in physics, optics enthusiasts, and anyone studying the behavior of light in different materials will benefit from this discussion.

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A ray of light strikes a mirror at an angle of 53 degrees to the normal.

A) what is the angle of reflection?
Ans: 53 degrees

B) what is the angle between the incident ray and the reflected ray?
Ans: 53+53 = 106 degrees

C) A ray of light has an angle of incidence of 30 degres on a block of quartz and an angle of refraction of 20 degrees. What is the index of refraction for this block of quartz?
Ans: Nr = (1.54) (sin 30) / (sin20) = 2.25

are the above answers correct?

thanks
 
Last edited:
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Where did the 1.54 com from in:?
"Nr = (1.54) (sin 30) / (sin20) = 2.25"
Is the light ray in air before it hits the quartz? I am assuming so. So one of your indexes of refraction in the above equation should be 1 since 1 is the index of refraction of air.
 
but... don't i have to specify the index of refraction of quartz which is 1.54... i don't see where the index of refraction of air would fit in..

EDIT: nevermind figured it out... so basically it'll be Nr= sin 30/sin20?
 
Last edited:
Yes that looks good with the edit
 
great.. thanks much :)
 
No problem and thank you for the response at the end it is nice to know that I helped.
 
jai6638 said:
but... don't i have to specify the index of refraction of quartz which is 1.54... i don't see where the index of refraction of air would fit in..

EDIT: nevermind figured it out... so basically it'll be Nr= sin 30/sin20?

The problem ASKED for the index of refraction of quartz! Actually there are different kinds of quartz that have slightly varying indices of refraction. Since sin(30)/sin(20)= 1.46, that's not too far off your value.
 
Yeah I looked it up. It think this type of quartz is Fused quartz, do either of you know the difference between fused quartz and just plain old quartz?
 

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