A ray of light in glass (n=1.5) strikes the glass-air interface at an angle of 30°. What will be the angle of refraction in air?

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Q: A ray of light in glass (n=1.5) strikes the glass-air interface at an angle of 30°. What will be the angle of refraction in air?

Solution: Using Snell's law, n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2). Here, n1 = 1.5, θ1 = 30°, n2 = 1.0. Thus, sin(θ2) = (1.5 * sin(30°))/1.0 = 0.75, giving θ2 ≈ 60°.

Steps: 9

Step 1: Identify the refractive indices. The refractive index of glass (n1) is 1.5 and for air (n2) is 1.0.
Step 2: Identify the angle of incidence (θ1). The angle of incidence is given as 30°.
Step 3: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2).
Step 4: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1.5 * sin(30°) = 1.0 * sin(θ2).
Step 5: Calculate sin(30°). We know that sin(30°) = 0.5.
Step 6: Substitute sin(30°) into the equation: 1.5 * 0.5 = 1.0 * sin(θ2).
Step 7: Simplify the left side: 0.75 = sin(θ2).
Step 8: To find θ2, take the inverse sine (arcsin) of 0.75: θ2 = arcsin(0.75).
Step 9: Calculate θ2, which is approximately 60°.

A ray of light in glass (n=1.5) strikes the glass-air interface at an angle of 30°. What will be the angle of refraction in air?

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