A light ray in air (n = 1.00) strikes a glass surface (n = 1.50) at an angle of incidence of 45°. What is the angle of refraction? (Use sin 45° = 0.707 and arcsin(0.471) = 28.1°)
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer
A. 28.1°
Principle or equation
Snell's law: n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2.
Why this answer is correct
Using Snell's law: 1.00 * sin 45° = 1.50 * sin θ2. So sin θ2 = 0.707 / 1.50 = 0.471. θ2 = arcsin(0.471) ≈ 28.1°.
Example
For light entering glass from air at 30°, the refraction angle is about 19.5°.
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