Solving Optics Problems: Finding Angle of Light Refraction and Object Position

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around optics problems involving light refraction and concave mirrors. The original poster presents a scenario where light is refracted through different media and seeks to determine the angle of refraction. Additionally, there is a question regarding the position of an object in relation to a concave mirror with a specified focal length and image characteristics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Snell's law for the refraction of light through different media, questioning the initial calculations of the original poster. There is also an exploration of the relationship between object distance and image distance in the context of a concave mirror, with references to magnification and the lens equation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on the refraction problem, suggesting a step-by-step approach to apply Snell's law correctly. The discussion regarding the concave mirror is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify the relationship between object distance and image distance while acknowledging potential errors in calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can share or the methods they can use. There is an emphasis on understanding the principles behind optics rather than simply arriving at a solution.

JassC
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A diver shines light up to the surface of a flat glass-bottomed boat at an angle of 32 degrees relative to the normal.
If the indices of refraction of air, water, and glass are 1.0, 1.33, and 1.4 respectively, at what angle does the light leave the glass (relative to its normal)? Answer in units of Degree.

This is how I did it...(1.0)(Sin32)=(1.4)(SinX)
22.24 Degrees = Sin X

Where did I go wrong?


And my other question is:
A concave mirror has a focal length of 19 cm. What is the position of the object if the image is erect and is 2 times larger than the object? Answer in units of cm.

I have no idea what to do for this question.
 
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JassC said:
This is how I did it...(1.0)(Sin32)=(1.4)(SinX)
22.24 Degrees = Sin X

Where did I go wrong?

remember that the ray of light first is refracted from water to glass and next from glass to air.

so we get:

[tex]n_{w}\cdot sin(\theta_{w}) = n_{g}\cdot sin(\theta_{g})[/tex]

then since the refracted ray has an angle [tex]\theta[/tex] equal to the angle after refraction by the glass, the next equation will be:

[tex]n_{g}\cdot sin(\theta_{g}) = n_{air}\cdot sin(\theta_{air})[/tex]

And thus:

[tex]n_{w}\cdot sin(\theta_{w}) = n_{air}\cdot sin(\theta_{air})[/tex]
 
Last edited:
Alright that helped. Thanks.

Any ideas for the other question :) ?

and there's one more...lol

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/3126/homework10003vk2.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
JassC said:
And my other question is:
A concave mirror has a focal length of 19 cm. What is the position of the object if the image is erect and is 2 times larger than the object? Answer in units of cm.

use the fact that the image is enlarged 2 times. Use the realtion:

[tex]M = \frac {i} {o} = \frac {L_{i}} {L_{o}} = 2.0[/tex] with M = magnification, i = imagedistance, o = objectdistance and L = length.

Now we know from this relation that the image distance i is twice as large as the object distance o --> i = 2o

Now use the lens equation and substitute i = 20 and solve the equation for o (f is already known):

[tex]\frac {1} {19} = \frac {1} {2o} + \frac {1} {o}[/tex]
 
o = 28.5

Plug that in...i/0 = 2.0

Li = 57?
 
JassC said:
o = 28.5

Plug that in...i/0 = 2.0

Li = 57?

They ask for the position of the object, thus in my opinion the object distance.
 
Hmm...maybe I did the calculations right but 28.5 for object distance is wrong.
 

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