A ray of light passes from air into glass with a refractive index of 1.5. If the

A ray of light passes from air into glass with a refractive index of 1.5. If the angle of incidence is 30 degrees, what is the angle of refraction?

A ray of light passes from air into glass with a refractive index of 1.5. If the angle of incidence is 30 degrees, what is the angle of refraction?

Step 1: Identify the refractive indices. The refractive index of air (n1) is approximately 1, and the refractive index of glass (n2) is 1.5.
Step 2: Identify the angle of incidence (i). In this case, the angle of incidence is given as 30 degrees.
Step 3: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(i) = n2 * sin(r).
Step 4: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1 * sin(30 degrees) = 1.5 * sin(r).
Step 5: Calculate sin(30 degrees). The value of sin(30 degrees) is 0.5.
Step 6: Substitute this value into the equation: 1 * 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(r).
Step 7: Simplify the equation: 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(r).
Step 8: Solve for sin(r) by dividing both sides by 1.5: sin(r) = 0.5 / 1.5.
Step 9: Calculate sin(r): sin(r) = 0.3333 (approximately).
Step 10: Find the angle r by taking the inverse sine (arcsin) of 0.3333: r ≈ 18.4 degrees.

Refraction – The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different refractive index.
Snell's Law – A formula used to describe the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when light passes between two different media.
Refractive Index – A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum.