Light Refection and Snell's Law

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Snell's Law in the context of light refraction at the interface between linseed oil and water. The original poster seeks to determine the angles of refraction in linseed oil and subsequently in water, given the angle of incidence and the refractive index of linseed oil.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Snell's Law, with the original poster attempting to calculate the angle of refraction in linseed oil. Some participants question the assumptions regarding the angles and the interfaces involved, while others suggest that a diagram would clarify the situation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem setup. Some guidance has been offered regarding the correct application of Snell's Law, particularly in relation to the refractive indices involved. There is no explicit consensus yet on the correct approach or solution.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of a diagram, which some participants believe would aid in understanding the problem better. Additionally, there is uncertainty about the correct application of Snell's Law at the various interfaces involved.

myersb05
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The light beam shown in Figure P22.21 makes an angle of ϕ = 23.5° with the normal line NN' in the linseed oil. Determine the angles θ and θ'. (The refractive index for linseed oil is 1.48.)
The normal line makes a 90 angle with the surface of the linseed oil. The light then passes through water but I need the linseed oil angle to get the water angle.

Snell's Law

So I used 1*sin(23.5)=1.48*sin(theta) and solved for theta. I got 15.63 degrees which is incorrect
 
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If the angle is in the linseed oil then it is the angle after it has been refracted at the air linseed interface. Thats my guess anyway without seeing the diagram.
 
myersb05 said:
Snell's Law

So I used 1*sin(23.5)=1.48*sin(theta) and solved for theta. I got 15.63 degrees which is incorrect

That equation works for an air-to-linseed oil interface or a vacuum-to-oil interface.

You have a water-oil interface; the refractive index of water must enter into Snell's law somehow.

edit added:
Plus, use Kurdt's suggestion of putting the angle on the correct side of the equation :-)
 
I think Redbelly since its asking for two angles that it will be the linseed oil between air and water. Like I said before however, a diagram would be nice.
 
I agree that showing us the diagram would have been helpful, so that we wouldn't have to spend time discussing and guessing at what is going on.
 

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