A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of incidence of 30 degrees. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction?

Practice Questions

1 question

20 degrees
30 degrees
40 degrees
50 degrees

Questions & Step-by-step Solutions

1 item

Q: A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of incidence of 30 degrees. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction?

Solution: Using Snell's law, n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2). Here, n1 = 1 (air), θ1 = 30 degrees, n2 = 1.5. Thus, sin(θ2) = (1 * sin(30))/1.5 = 1/3, giving θ2 ≈ 20 degrees.

Steps: 12

Step 1: Identify the angle of incidence (θ1), which is given as 30 degrees.
Step 2: Identify the refractive index of air (n1), which is approximately 1.
Step 3: Identify the refractive index of glass (n2), which is given as 1.5.
Step 4: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2).
Step 5: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1 * sin(30 degrees) = 1.5 * sin(θ2).
Step 6: Calculate sin(30 degrees), which is 0.5.
Step 7: Now the equation looks like this: 1 * 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(θ2).
Step 8: Simplify the equation: 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(θ2).
Step 9: To find sin(θ2), divide both sides by 1.5: sin(θ2) = 0.5 / 1.5.
Step 10: Calculate 0.5 / 1.5, which equals 1/3.
Step 11: Now, find θ2 by taking the inverse sine (arcsin) of 1/3.
Step 12: Calculate θ2, which is approximately 20 degrees.

A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of incidence of 30 degrees. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction?

Practice Questions

Questions & Step-by-step Solutions

Related Questions

On a scale of 0–10, how likely are you to recommend The Soulshift Academy?