Angle of refraction through ice into water

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the angle of refraction of light as it passes from ice into water, specifically when light hits the ice at an incidence angle of 15.0°. Participants confirm the application of Snell's Law (n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2) at both interfaces: ice to air and ice to water. The refractive indices of ice and water must be utilized to determine the angles accurately. The consensus is to first calculate the angle of refraction in the ice and then use that angle as the incidence angle for the transition into water.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law and its application in optics
  • Knowledge of the refractive indices of ice and water
  • Familiarity with the concept of light refraction at interfaces
  • Basic trigonometry for angle calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the refractive index values for ice (approximately 1.31) and water (approximately 1.33)
  • Study the application of Snell's Law in multi-layered media
  • Explore the concept of total internal reflection and its conditions
  • Investigate practical experiments demonstrating light refraction through different materials
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on optics, as well as educators and anyone interested in understanding light behavior at material interfaces.

goWlfpack
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Homework Statement



A layer of ice having parallel sides floats on water. If light is incident on the upper surface of the ice at an angle of incidence of 15.0°, what is the angle of refraction in the water?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


i know its not so simple that i can just use Sin theta n1 = sin theta n2... but i don't know how the fact that it is parallel will change the equation. Should i find the angle of refraction in the ice and then use that as the angle of incidence for the water?
 
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The equation only applies at a point on the surface - being parallel just means that you don't care where on the surface.

It's almost the same as the typical experiment with light going through a glass block.
You simply apply Snell's law ( n1 sin t1 = n2 sin t2 ) at each surface.
You will need the refractive index of ice and remember which way light bends at each surface.
 
goWlfpack said:
Should i find the angle of refraction in the ice and then use that as the angle of incidence for the water?

Yup. That's how you should go about this problem. Use Snell's law twice, once at each interface.
 

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