What Angle Does Light Refract in Ice?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the angle of refraction for a beam of sunlight striking an ice floe at an angle of 66.5 degrees, using Snell's Law. The index of refraction for ice is given as n=1.31. Participants emphasize the importance of ensuring the calculator is set to degrees rather than radians when using the sine function. The correct application of Snell's Law leads to determining the refracted angle accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law and its application in optics
  • Familiarity with the sine function and its inverse
  • Basic knowledge of angles in degrees
  • Ability to use a scientific calculator
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of Snell's Law in different mediums
  • Learn how to use a scientific calculator for trigonometric functions
  • Explore the concept of the index of refraction in various materials
  • Investigate the effects of wavelength on the refraction of light
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on optics, as well as educators teaching the principles of light refraction and Snell's Law.

tymartin
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Homework Statement


A beam of sunlight with a wavelength of 500 nm strikes an ice floe at an angle of 66.5 If ice has an index of refraction n=1.31, at what angle is the beam refracted?


Homework Equations


Law of Refraction- n(i) sin 0(i)=n (r) 0 (r')


The Attempt at a Solution



I'm completely lost. I am not familiar with the sin key.
 
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Welcome to PF!

tymartin said:
A beam of sunlight with a wavelength of 500 nm strikes an ice floe at an angle of 66.5 If ice has an index of refraction n=1.31, at what angle is the beam refracted?

I'm completely lost. I am not familiar with the sin key.

Hi tymartin! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(have a theta: θ and a degrees: ° :wink:)

This is Snell's law …

key in 66.5, make sure your calculator is using degrees ("deg") not radians ("rad"), and press "sin" …

that gives you sin65.5º …

now find the sin of the angle of refraction, key it in, and find the thing on your calculator that converts the "sin" key to inverse sin (sin-1), and press the "sin" key again :wink:
 

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