A fish is 1.2 m beneath the surface of a still pond of water.At what maximum angle can the fish look toward the surface (measured with respect to the normal to the surface)in order to see a fisherman sitting on a distant bank? (for water,n = 1.333)
A)18.6 $\degree$
B)37.2 $\degree$
C)48.6 $\degree$
D)The fish will not see the fisherman at any angle.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Using Snell's law, we can find the maximum angle of incidence for which the light will be refracted enough to reach the fish's eyes:
n1 sin(theta1) = n2 sin(theta2)
Assuming the viewing angle is the same as the angle of incidence, we can rearrange the formula to solve for theta1:
theta1 = sin^-1((n2/n1)sin(theta2)))
Plugging in the values given in the problem:
theta1 = sin^-1((1.333/1)sin(90)) = sin^-1(1.333) = 48.6 degrees
Therefore, the maximum angle the fish can look toward the surface to see the fisherman is 48.6 degrees, which is option C.

A Fish Is 1 °\degree° B)372 °\degree° C)486 °\degree° D)The Fish Will Not See the Fisherman at Any Angle

A Fish Is 1 $\degree$ B)372 $\degree$ C)486 $\degree$ D)The Fish Will Not See the Fisherman at Any Angle