How Does Refraction Affect Visibility in a Fluid-Filled Container?

[lioric]

Homework Statement

A person looking into an empty container is able to see the far edge of the container's bottom. The height of the container is h, and its width is d. When the container is completely filled with a fluid of index of refraction n and viewed from the same angle, the person can see the center o f a coin at the middle of the container’s bottom,

Show that h/d= sqrt((n^2-1)/(4- n^2))

Homework Equations

I'm not sure but i think this has something to do with n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2 and pythogoras theorum

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm totally lost on how to start this question please give me a hint on how to start answering this

 

[Ray Vickson]

Homework Statement

A person looking into an empty container is able to see the far edge of the container's bottom. The height of the container is h, and its width is d. When the container is completely filled with a fluid of index of refraction n and viewed from the same angle, the person can see the center o f a coin at the middle of the container’s bottom,

Show that h/d= sqrt((n^2-1)/(4- n^2))

Homework Equations

I'm not sure but i think this has something to do with n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2 and pythogoras theorum

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm totally lost on how to start this question please give me a hint on how to start answering this

How to start: step 1 is to draw yourself a little diagram, showing the before-and-after situations. Then you will be in a much better position to start writing down the appropriate equations, etc. I an absolutely, 100% serious---that is how I would start.

 

[lioric]

actually the textbook that i took the question has a diagram.
But i just don't know how to link snell's law and pythogoras theorum