Why Does Snell's Law Give Incorrect Results When Using Certain Formulas?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Snell's Law and the use of different formulas for calculating the refractive index in optics. Participants explore the conditions under which certain formulas yield incorrect results, focusing on the interpretation of variables and the relationships between them.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes confusion regarding the application of two different formulas for refractive index, questioning why one method led to an incorrect answer.
  • Another participant challenges the correctness of the second equation presented, suggesting that a clearer understanding of the symbols involved (i, r, Nx) is necessary to resolve the issue.
  • A third participant provides a clarification of Snell's Law, emphasizing the relationship between the indices of refraction and the angles of incidence and refraction, and describes how to use known variables to solve for an unknown.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correctness of the formulas or the interpretation of the variables involved. There is a clear disagreement regarding the validity of the second equation presented.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential misunderstandings of the symbols used in the equations and the conditions under which each formula is applicable. The discussion does not resolve these ambiguities.

Gajan1234
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At the start of the chapter the book told me to use this formula to find refractive index: N= Sin(i)/Sin(r)
How ever later in the section they showed me to use this formula when three quantities are given : NxSin(i)=NxSin(r)
I tried apply the same method to a question, it gave me a wrong answer. Why is it?
 
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Your second equation is not correct. You must understand what the symbols mean. What is i? What is r? What is Nx? Then the relation between the two equations you wrote will become clear.
 
Thank you Chandra
 
Snell's law should be n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2, where n1 is the index of refraction of the incident medium with θ1 being the angle of incidence, along with n2 as the index of refraction of the refractive medium with its angle of refraction being θ2. The three quantities you are asking about are used to find a last unknown variable, by algebraically placing the 3 known variables on one side of the = sign and solving for the other side, the unknown variable.
 

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