If the angle of incidence is 70° in a medium with a refractive index of 1.5, wha

If the angle of incidence is 70° in a medium with a refractive index of 1.5, what is the angle of refraction in air?

If the angle of incidence is 70° in a medium with a refractive index of 1.5, what is the angle of refraction in air?

Step 1: Identify the angle of incidence, which is given as 70°.
Step 2: Understand that the refractive index of the medium (1.5) indicates it is likely glass or a similar material.
Step 3: Calculate the critical angle using the formula: critical angle = arcsin(1/n), where n is the refractive index (1.5).
Step 4: Calculate the critical angle: critical angle = arcsin(1/1.5) ≈ 41.8°.
Step 5: Compare the angle of incidence (70°) with the critical angle (41.8°).
Step 6: Since 70° is greater than 41.8°, total internal reflection occurs.
Step 7: Conclude that there is no refraction into air; instead, the light reflects back into the medium.

Refraction and Total Internal Reflection – Understanding how light behaves when it passes from one medium to another, including the conditions for total internal reflection.
Snell's Law – The relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction and the refractive indices of the two media.
Critical Angle – The minimum angle of incidence at which total internal reflection occurs when light travels from a denser to a less dense medium.