A ray of light passes from air into glass at an angle of 45 degrees. What is the
Practice Questions
Q1
A ray of light passes from air into glass at an angle of 45 degrees. What is the angle of refraction if the refractive index of glass is 1.5? (2022)
30 degrees
45 degrees
60 degrees
90 degrees
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
A ray of light passes from air into glass at an angle of 45 degrees. What is the angle of refraction if the refractive index of glass is 1.5? (2022)
Step 1: Identify the refractive indices. The refractive index of air (n1) is 1, and the refractive index of glass (n2) is 1.5.
Step 2: Identify the angle of incidence (theta1). The angle of incidence is given as 45 degrees.
Step 3: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(theta1) = n2 * sin(theta2).
Step 4: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1 * sin(45 degrees) = 1.5 * sin(theta2).
Step 5: Calculate sin(45 degrees). This is approximately 0.707.
Step 6: Rewrite the equation: 0.707 = 1.5 * sin(theta2).
Step 7: Solve for sin(theta2) by dividing both sides by 1.5: sin(theta2) = 0.707 / 1.5.
Step 8: Calculate the value: sin(theta2) ≈ 0.471.
Step 9: Find theta2 by taking the inverse sine (arcsin) of 0.471: theta2 ≈ 30 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 vacuum.