Angle refraction from a point on glass.

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angle of refraction for a ray of light passing through a rectangular block of glass (n = 1.52) surrounded by liquid carbon disulfide (n = 1.63). The initial angle of incidence at point A is 36.0°. The correct approach involves applying Snell's Law twice: first to find the angle of refraction into the glass and then to determine the angle at which the light exits the glass at point B. The initial calculation using sin(B) = n1/n2 * sin(a) was incorrect due to not considering the two-part nature of the problem.

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Homework Statement



The drawing shows a rectangular block of glass (n = 1.52) surrounded by liquid carbon disulfide (n = 1.63). A ray of light is incident on the glass at point A with a = 36.0° angle of incidence. At what angle of refraction does the ray leave the glass at point B?

Please explain a way to reach the solution for this problem. I tried using the equation: n2*sin(36) / n1

pic: http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/900/13113445ga1.png

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



not sure why this would not work: sin(B) = n1/n2 * sin(a)

so, 1.63/1/52 * sin(36) comes to 39.1 degrees??

please correct me if this is incorrect. However, the answer doesn't seem to be accurate. This is the angle that is refracted from the glass at B correct?

thanks.
 
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You're using Snell's Law correctly, but I think this is a two-part problem. So first, you need to apply it to find the angle of refraction into the glass at point A. This is the angle you solved for. You need to use that angle to apply Snell's law again at point B, to find the angle at which the light leaves the glass at point B.
 

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