Refraction homework problem

[jsalapide]

Is it possible for the critical angle to exist when light goes from water (n=1.33) into glass (n=1.5)?

My used the formula sin(critical angle) = n1/n2.

I'm a bit confused, should the numerator(n1) always be less dense compared to the denominator(n2).

 

[mgb_phys]

Total internal reflection occurs at the boundary of light in a higher n meeting a material of lower n

 

[tomcue]

Yes, it is possible for the critical angle to exist when light goes from water (n=1.33) into glass (n=1.5). The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which the refracted ray lies along the interface between the two materials. The formula used, sin(critical angle) = n1/n2, is known as Snell's Law and it applies to any two materials, regardless of their densities. The numerator (n1) can be either more or less dense compared to the denominator (n2). In this case, water (n=1.33) is less dense than glass (n=1.5), but the critical angle still exists. This is because the critical angle is determined by the refractive indices of the two materials, not their densities.