A light ray in air (n = 1.00) strikes a flat piece of glass (n = 1.50) at an angle of incidence of 60°. What is the angle of refraction? (Use sin 60° = 0.866 and arcsin(0.577) = 35.3°)
Show the answer and explanation
Correct answer
B. 35.3°
Principle or equation
Snell's law: n1 sin θ1 = n2 sin θ2.
Why this answer is correct
sin θ2 = (n1/n2) sin θ1 = (1.00/1.50) * 0.866 = 0.577. θ2 = arcsin(0.577) = 35.3°.
Example
If θ1 = 30°, sin θ2 = (1/1.5)*0.5 = 0.333, θ2 = 19.5°.
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