Finding Sin r from 1.52 and 20 Degrees

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To find sin r using Snell's Law, the equation n1 sin i = n2 sin r is applied, where n1 is 1.52, sin i is sin(20 degrees), and n2 is 1.10. The calculation involves first finding sin(20 degrees), multiplying it by 1.52, and then dividing by 1.10. The final step is to take the inverse sine (arcsin) of the result to determine the angle r. The correct answer for sin r is approximately 28.2 degrees, not 18.9 degrees as initially thought. Understanding the use of the arcsin function is crucial for solving this problem correctly.
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so my given is 1.52 20degrees = 1.10 sin r

im trying to find sin r which comes out to 18.9 degrees but I am not sure how find that, can somebody help me out please?

so you do 1.10/1.52

do you divide that into sin 20?
 
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I don't quite understand your notation...

Is that first part : 1.52 * 20 deg?
 
snells law is n1 sin i = n2 sin r

n1= 1.52
sin i = 20 deg

n2 = 1.10

sin r = ?

sin r actually equals 28.2 deg but i don't understand the process
 
Isn't this just simple algebra? What do you get when you solve for the unknown variable?
 
I got 27.6 as my answer...
 
...

\sin{x} does not give you an answer in degrees.

n_1 \sin{\theta_1} = n_2 \sin{\theta_2} \Longrightarrow \theta_1 = \sin^{-1}\left( \frac{n_2}{n_1} \sin{\theta_2}\right)
 
Isn't the question what is sin r? Not what is the angle...
 
Well, in that case he's in for a surprise if he wants it to "come out to 18.9^\circ"
 
but how do you do it

1.10/1.52 =.723

sin 20=.723

then I am stuck...
 
  • #10
Look for the \sin^{-1} button on your calculator. Apply it as in the equation I put above.
 
  • #11
first calculate sin(20)
then multiply that by 1.52
then divide by 1.10
then take the arcsin/inverse sin of that number
make sure its in degrees and yorue done.

28.2
 
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