physics - If a beam of light goes through glass, which has an index of refraction of 1.33 at an angle of 32 degrees from the normal, what is the angle of refraction in the glass? Light is going from air-glass.

If a beam of light goes through glass, which has an index of refraction of 1.33 at an angle of 32 degrees from the normal, what is the angle of refraction in the glass? Light is going from air-glass.

14 viewed last edited 5 years ago

physics

Shubhanan Kulkarni (Student, 12^th Grade)

I know that this problem is solved through Snell's Law. So I set up the formula as such: 1(sin32°) = 1.33(sinθ) which then gives you ----------> 0.53 = 1.33(sinθ).

To solve this, do I isolate the (sinθ)? Which would give me (sinθ) = 0.398. Do I then solve like: arcsin(0.398) = 23.48? Is that my answer? Just a little confusion on how to solve this.

Mahesh Godavarti (last edited 5 years ago) (Expert, Founder @Qalaxia)

Shubhanan, you are correct.

Remember the following picture.

If n_2 \gt n_1 which is true since 1.33 \gt 1 then \theta_2 \lt \theta_1 .

The answer you got of 23.48^\circ is less than 32^\circ the angle of incidence.

Shubhanan Kulkarni (last edited 5 years ago)

thank you very much!