Refraction of Light question assistance needed

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a physics problem involving the refraction of light at the interface between air and oil. The user applied Snell's Law, n1*sin(theta1) = n2*sin(theta2), with n1 as 1.00 for air and n2 as 1.47 for oil, but incorrectly calculated the angle of refraction as 22.97 degrees. The correct approach requires using the angle of incidence measured from the normal, which is 90 degrees minus the given angle of 35 degrees, leading to an accurate calculation of the angle of refraction. The correct answer is approximately 56.1 degrees, corresponding to option B in the multiple-choice answers provided.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law in optics
  • Knowledge of refractive indices (n values)
  • Ability to perform trigonometric calculations
  • Familiarity with angle measurement conventions in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and applications of Snell's Law in various media
  • Learn how to calculate angles of incidence and refraction using different refractive indices
  • Explore common mistakes in optics problems and how to avoid them
  • Practice solving multiple-choice questions related to refraction and light behavior
USEFUL FOR

Students preparing for physics exams, educators teaching optics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles of light refraction and its calculations.

Issy
Messages
6
Reaction score
1
As revision for my upcoming physics exam, I'm doing an old exam paper from a previous year of the course, for which the answers aren't published. However, I'm stuck on a basic angle of refraction question:
"A light ray makes an angle of 35degrees to the surface of an oil layer. [A diagram is attached, which shows the light ray traveling through air until it hits the oil surface]. The air's n=1.00, and the oil''s n=1.47. What is the angle of refraction of the light ray in the oil?"

It's a multichoice answer, and the answers are A) 35degrees, B) 56.1degrees, C) 55.9degrees, D) 33.9degrees, and E) 67.7.
However when I use the n1*sin(theta1) = n2*sin(theta2) method, my answer is always equal to 22.97degrees? Which is equal to none of the multichoice answer values? And because there are no published answers, I can't check the correct answer.
Have I done something wrong? Or is there a mistake in the exam paper? Thank you for any and all help!
[P.S. my calculator is definitely set in degrees.]


Relevant equations:
n1*sin(theta1) = n2*sin(theta2)


The attempt at a solution:
1 * sin(35) = 1.47 * sin(theta2), therefore sin-1 (sin(35)/1.47) = theta2 = 22.97degrees.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Try 90o - 35o as the incident angle.
The incident angle for Snell's law is measured with respect to the normal to the surface.
 
andrevdh said:
Try 90o - 35o as the incident angle.
The incident angle for Snell's law is measured with respect to the normal to the surface.

Thank you very much! A dumb mistake on my part; you've saved me from embarrassing myself in front of my lecturer when I went to ask him for help, and the extra info at the bottom was also very helpful, thank you again!
 
Don't be afraid to make mistakes or ask questions (and hopefully do not break anything in the process). That is (mostly) how we learn.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K