Finding angle of refraction given angle of incidence?

AI Thread Summary
To find the angle of refraction given the angle of incidence, the discussion emphasizes using the refractive index formula n = sin(i)/sin(r). The participants clarify that the angle of incidence is assumed to be 90 degrees, making the critical angle relevant to the problem. Through geometric reasoning, they determine that the critical angle is 48 degrees, derived from the relationship between angles in the diagram. The refractive index is then calculated as 1/sin(48). This conversation highlights the importance of applying geometric principles and formulas in optics.
Martin Hanna
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Can someone help me in solving this question ?

my attemp is sin42/sin 90 to get the refractive index then n =sin i/sin r to get c
and for b n=1/sinc
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Welcome to PF!

Try to answer part (i) first by examining the diagram and using a little geometry.
 
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Thanks for responding but i am trying but can't figure it out its probably right there in my face but i just can't see it yet
 
What is the value of the angle DBM shown below?
 

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that would be 90 ?
 
Yes, I think that's what you are supposed to assume. The fisherman's net (at D) is assumed to be essentially at the surface of the water.
 
so there fore the angle of incidence is 90 so that means C would be a critical angle
 
Martin Hanna said:
so there fore the angle of incidence is 90 so that means C would be a critical angle
Yes. From the diagram, can you determine the value of the critical angle in degrees?
 
42 ? i doubt you can just determine it from looking at the diagram as the question asks to calculate it
 
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Note that the line connecting point A to Nemo's eye is a straight line.
 

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  • #11
therefore c must be 180-(42+90)
 
  • #12
Yes
 
  • #13
well it makes sense because the answer is 48 and 48 is the critical angle of air-water boundary so now i find the refractive index 1/48
 
  • #14
Why 1/48?
 
  • #15
because there is a formula which says that N(Refractive index) = 1/ sin C(48) oh i see yeah I am suppose to sin the 48
 
  • #16
Yes, good.
 
  • #17
thank you very much
 

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