Find Brewster's angle for light in air that is reflected from the top of a water surface. The index of refraction of the water is 1.33.
A) $53.1 ^ { \circ }$
B) $90.0 ^ { \circ }$
C) $56.3 ^ { \circ }$
D) $36.9 ^ { \circ }$
E) $60.2 ^ { \circ }$

Question

Find Brewster's angle for light in air that is reflected from the top of a water surface. The index of refraction of the water is 1.33. 
A) $53.1 ^ { \circ }$
B) $90.0 ^ { \circ }$
C) $56.3 ^ { \circ }$
D) $36.9 ^ { \circ }$
E) $60.2 ^ { \circ }$

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Brewster's angle, $ \theta_B $, can be found using the formula $ \theta_B = \arctan \left( \frac{n_2}{n_1} \right) $, where $ n_1 $ is the refractive index of the first medium (air, which is approximately 1) and $ n_2 $ is the refractive index of the second medium (water, which is given as 1.33). Plugging in the values, we get $ \theta_B = \arctan \left( \frac{1.33}{1} \right) $, which calculates to approximately $53.1^\circ$.

Find Brewster's Angle for Light in Air That Is Reflected 53.1∘53.1 ^ { \circ }53.1∘

Find Brewster's Angle for Light in Air That Is Reflected $53.1 ^ { \circ }$