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October 19, 2025, 08:09:26 am

Author Topic: Snell's Law & Refraction Help  (Read 871 times)  Share 

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Tomanomanous

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Snell's Law & Refraction Help
« on: October 24, 2011, 08:16:41 pm »
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I came across this question in the Heinemann Physics book and it has confused me, any help? :)

Light travels from water (n = 1.33) into glass (n = 1.60). The incident angle is 44°. Calculate the angle of refraction.

The textbook says the answer is 35°. Can someone please explain to me how they got it? It'd be much appreciated! :) Thank you!
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Re: Snell's Law & Refraction Help
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2011, 08:25:51 pm »
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Note x is just replacing theta.

n1sin(x1)=n2sin(x2)
n1= refrative index of incident = 1.33
n2= refrative index of reflected = 1.44
x1=44
x2=?
1.33sin(44)=1.6sin(x)
x=sin-1(1.33sin(44)/1.6) **remember calc in degress mode
x=35.26 degress
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Tomanomanous

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Re: Snell's Law & Refraction Help
« Reply #2 on: October 24, 2011, 08:30:42 pm »
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Thank you so much, oh my lord! Ahahahaha
n1sin(x1)=n2sin(x2) wasn't in the textbook (really says something about how much I think outside the box, xD)

but yeah. Sin i/Sin r was there, thank you! :)
2011 - Year 11:
Psychology, Further Mathematics
2012 - Year 12:
English, Mathematical Methods, Specialist Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics

2013-2016 - Bachelor of Arts (UoM)
Majors: Linguistics & Asian Studies
2013-2016 - Diploma of Languages (UoM)
Japanese