What is Snell's Law and How is it Used?

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Snell's Law describes the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when light passes between two different media, expressed by the equation sin i / sin r = n2/n1. The law indicates that the ratio of the sines of the angles is constant and relates to the refractive indices of the two media. While the equation itself serves as the formal statement of Snell's Law, it is also important to understand the physical principles behind it, such as the bending of light due to changes in speed. Applications of Snell's Law include optics, lens design, and understanding phenomena like rainbows. Overall, the equation encapsulates the fundamental behavior of light refraction.
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I have been asked to "state snells law"

I know the equation is

sin i / sin r = n2/n1

And I know how to use it...

But is there a written law for this that I'm missing? (As in Newtons third law of motion states that...?)
 
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well explain in words what is happening when you use Snells law. And maybe some applications of it.
 
I don't know the full context of your question, but why wouldn't giving an equation be a form of "stating" a physical law? Assuming that you've defined the symbols used.
 
I was just wondering if there was a formal statement that I was missing here. My textbooks indicate that the equation is the law, but you're right, there's nothing wrong with giving it in that form. As usual, many thanks.
 
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