Plotting reflection coefficient

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on plotting the magnitude of the reflection coefficient |r| for a transverse electric plane wave transitioning from air to glass, with incident angles ranging from 0 to 90 degrees. The reflection coefficient is calculated using the formula r = (n1cosθi - n2cosθt) / (n1cosθi + n2cosθt). The user initially struggles with determining the transmitted angle but realizes they can apply Snell's law to find it. They plan to create the plot using Excel, although MATLAB is suggested as the preferred tool. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding both reflection and refraction in this context.
nmsurobert
Messages
288
Reaction score
36

Homework Statement


plot the magnitude |r| of the reflection coefficient as a function of incident angle from 0 to 90 degrees with a step size of 1 degree for the following cases: (ill only post one)

A transverse electric plane wave in incident from air to glass

Homework Equations


r = (n1cosθi - n2cosθt)/ (n1cosθi + n2cosθt)

The Attempt at a Solution


I was just going to plot r vs degrees but i only know the incident angles, 0 though 90. What i do about the other angle?
I'm currently trying to plot it in excel. I think he expects us to plot it in MATLAB but i have no experience with matlab.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
i think i solved it. i can just use snells law and figure out the angle.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top