Light Refraction: Find Angle of Refracted Ray

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To find the angle of the refracted ray when light strikes glass with a refractive index of 1.5 at a 30-degree angle, Snell's Law is applied. The assumption is made that the light is coming from air, which has a refractive index of 1.0. Using the equation n1*sin(theta1) = n2*sin(theta2), the refracted angle can be calculated. The discussion clarifies that it's acceptable to assume the refractive index of air is 1.0 for this problem. This approach allows for the determination of the angle of refraction effectively.
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Homework Statement



A ray of light strikes a piece of glass (n=refraction index=1.5), making an angle of 30 degrees with the surface. What angle does the refracted ray make with the surface?

Homework Equations



Snell's Law: n1*sin(theta1)=n2*sin(theta2)

The Attempt at a Solution



We're only given one n...how do I do this?
 
Last edited:
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Is the question assuming that it's coming from air?
 
bfr said:
We're only given one n...how do I do this?

Hi bfr! :smile:

easy-peasy … you can assume that, for air (it is air, isn't it? :rolleyes:), n = 1. :smile:
 
OK, I didn't know we're just supposed to assume that n=1, thanks.
 

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