If n_water = 1.33, what is the angle of refraction for the ray shown? A) 19$\degree$ B) 22$\degree$ C) 36$\degree$ D) 42$\degree$ E) 48$\degree$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Snell's Law, sin(angle of incidence)/sin(angle of refraction) = n1/n2, where n1 is the refractive index of the medium the ray is coming from and n2 is the refractive index of the medium the ray is entering. In this case, n1 = 1 (air) and n2 = 1.33 (water). Plugging in the given value, we get sin(angle of incidence)/sin(angle of refraction) = 1/1.33. Solving for angle of refraction, we get angle of refraction = arcsin(sin(angle of incidence)/1.33). The angle of incidence in the diagram appears to be around 50 degrees. Plugging this in, we get angle of refraction = arcsin(sin(50)/1.33) = 42 degrees (rounded to the nearest degree). Therefore, the correct answer is D.

If Nwater = 1 °\degree° B) 22 °\degree° C) 36 °\degree° D) 42 °\degree°

If N_water = 1 $\degree$ B) 22 $\degree$ C) 36 $\degree$ D) 42 $\degree$