A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of 45 degrees. If the refractive

A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of 45 degrees. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction?

A light ray strikes a glass surface at an angle of 45 degrees. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction?

Step 1: Identify the angle of incidence (i). In this case, the angle of incidence is 45 degrees.
Step 2: Identify the refractive index of the first medium (air). The refractive index of air is approximately 1, so n1 = 1.
Step 3: Identify the refractive index of the second medium (glass). The refractive index of glass is given as 1.5, so n2 = 1.5.
Step 4: Use Snell's law, which states that n1 * sin(i) = n2 * sin(r). We need to find the angle of refraction (r).
Step 5: Rearrange Snell's law to find sin(r): sin(r) = (n1/n2) * sin(i).
Step 6: Substitute the values into the equation: sin(r) = (1/1.5) * sin(45 degrees).
Step 7: Calculate sin(45 degrees). The value of sin(45 degrees) is approximately 0.707.
Step 8: Now calculate sin(r): sin(r) = (1/1.5) * 0.707 = 0.471.
Step 9: To find the angle of refraction (r), use the inverse sine function: r = sin^(-1)(0.471).
Step 10: Calculate r, which is approximately 30 degrees.

Refraction – The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another, described by Snell's law.
Snell's Law – A formula used to calculate the angle of refraction when light passes between two different media, given by n1 * sin(i) = n2 * sin(r).
Refractive Index – A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to vacuum.