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

A light ray 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 light ray 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 1, and the refractive index of glass (n2) is 1.5.
Step 2: Identify the angle of incidence (theta1), which is given as 30 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(30 degrees) = 1.5 * sin(theta2).
Step 5: Calculate sin(30 degrees). It equals 0.5.
Step 6: Substitute this value into the equation: 1 * 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(theta2).
Step 7: Simplify the equation: 0.5 = 1.5 * sin(theta2).
Step 8: Divide both sides by 1.5 to isolate sin(theta2): sin(theta2) = 0.5 / 1.5.
Step 9: Calculate 0.5 / 1.5, which equals approximately 0.333.
Step 10: Use the inverse sine function to find theta2: theta2 = arcsin(0.333).
Step 11: Calculate theta2, which is approximately 19.1 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 media.
Refractive Index – A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to vacuum.