Elevation of Sun above water surface

AI Thread Summary
An underwater scuba diver perceives the Sun at an apparent angle of 44.5° above the horizontal, but the actual elevation angle needs to be calculated using the index of refraction of water, which is 1.333. The equation n1sin(Θ1) = n2sin(Θ2) is applied, but there is confusion regarding the angles used in the calculations. The diver initially used an incorrect angle of 43° instead of 44.5°, leading to an incorrect answer of 24.62° instead of the correct 12.9°. Clarification on the correct angle and steps is needed to resolve the misunderstanding in the calculations.
Agarb
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Homework Statement



An underwater scuba diver sees the Sun at an apparent angle of 44.5° above the horizontal. What is the actual elevation angle of the Sun above the horizontal? (Use 1.333 for the index of refraction of water.)

Homework Equations



n1sin(Θ1) = n2sin(Θ2)

The Attempt at a Solution



I've been doing:

1.333*sin(43) = .9091

sin-1(.9091)= 65.38

90-65.38 = 24.62 degrees

Where am I going wrong?? The answer is 12.9 degrees, but every time I try to do it, I get 24.62 degrees.
 
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Where does the 43 come from?

I get 18 degrees.
 
mfb said:
Where does the 43 come from?

I get 18 degrees.


What are the steps you're taking?
 
agarb said:
what are the steps you're taking?
90-44.5 = ?
 
Agarb said:
What are the steps you're taking?
The same steps as you, just with the right numbers. See the open question in post 2 and 4.
 
I don't understand where you see a 43?
 
Agarb said:

The Attempt at a Solution



I've been doing:

1.333*sin(43[/size]) = .9091

sin-1(.9091)= 65.38

90-65.38 = 24.62 degrees

Where am I going wrong?? The answer is 12.9 degrees, but every time I try to do it, I get 24.62 degrees.
I highlighted it.
 
Shoot sorry, I copied it over and forgot to change it. It should be 44.5

But I still don't get the correct answer
 
Agarb said:
Shoot sorry, I copied it over and forgot to change it. It should be 44.5
No, not that either: 44.5° above the horizontal
 
  • #10
haruspex said:
No, not that either: 44.5° above the horizontal

What does that mean?? I tried 90-44.5 and 180-44.5 but it doesn't work. Am I going crazy??
 
  • #11
Agarb said:
I tried 90-44.5
That should do it. Please post you working.
 
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