If a ray of light passes from air into a medium with a refractive index of 2, what is the angle of refraction if the angle of incidence is 30°?

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Q: If a ray of light passes from air into a medium with a refractive index of 2, what is the angle of refraction if the angle of incidence is 30°?

Solution: Using Snell's law: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2). 1 * sin(30°) = 2 * sin(θ2) => sin(θ2) = 0.25 => θ2 = 15°.

Steps: 9

Step 1: Identify the refractive indices. The refractive index of air (n1) is approximately 1, and the refractive index of the medium (n2) is given as 2.
Step 2: Identify the angle of incidence (θ1). It is given as 30°.
Step 3: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2).
Step 4: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1 * sin(30°) = 2 * sin(θ2).
Step 5: Calculate sin(30°). It equals 0.5, so the equation becomes: 1 * 0.5 = 2 * sin(θ2).
Step 6: Simplify the equation: 0.5 = 2 * sin(θ2).
Step 7: Divide both sides by 2 to isolate sin(θ2): sin(θ2) = 0.5 / 2 = 0.25.
Step 8: Find the angle θ2 by taking the inverse sine (arcsin) of 0.25: θ2 = arcsin(0.25).
Step 9: Calculate θ2, which gives approximately 15°.