How to Apply Snell's Law Without Knowing the Index of Refraction?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hello2016
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Hi Refraction
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around applying Snell's Law in a scenario involving light refraction, where the original poster is given a real depth and an apparent depth but lacks the index of refraction for the liquid involved. The problem is situated within the context of optics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use Snell's Law to determine the angles of incidence and refraction but expresses uncertainty about how to proceed without knowing the index of refraction. Some participants suggest using geometric relationships to find the angles first, while others inquire about the use of trigonometric functions in this context.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different methods to approach the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of geometry and trigonometry to derive necessary angles before applying Snell's Law, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint of not having the index of refraction and are discussing how to derive angles using the given depths. There is an emphasis on the need to clarify the geometric relationships involved.

Hello2016
Messages
3
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


[/B]
I know that the depth is 30 cm , the apprared depth to the observer is 15 cm. But how am i going to use snells law to get the refracted and incident angle when i have no idea what the index of refraction is for n2 liquid? ?

Homework Equations


N1sin1=n2sin2

The Attempt at a Solution


Im trying to use smells law to figure out both angles but I am missing the index of refraction and i don't know how to compute it using the depth and length givenhttps://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/93432
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Hello2016 said:

Homework Statement



I know that the depth is 30 cm , the apprared depth to the observer is 15 cm. But how am i going to use snells law to get the refracted and incident angle when i have no idea what the index of refraction is for n2 liquid? ?[/B]

Homework Equations


N1sin1=n2sin2

The Attempt at a Solution


Im trying to use smells law to figure out both angles but I am missing the index of refraction and i don't know how to compute it using the depth and length givenhttps://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/93432
You need to figure out the angles using geometry, from the figure drawn. Only after that do you use Snell's law to find the index of refraction.
 
nrqed said:
You need to figure out the angles using geometry, from the figure drawn. Only after that do you use Snell's law to find the index of refraction.
Oh so like tan sin and cos?
 
Hello2016 said:
Oh so like tan sin and cos?
Yes, draw right angle triangles, use the apparent and real depths to get the sides of some triangles and then use trigonometry to find the angles.
 
Hey I am not sure how i should use x in the geometry
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
7K