Hello, I'm totally lost on how to solve this physics problem. Where/how do I insert the variables??
"Light travels from one material with a refractive index (n1=1.5) to another material with refractive index (n2=1.7). If it strikes the surface at a 45° angle (it would also be 45° to the normal), what is the resulting angle (from the normal) in the second material?"
Thank you!!
Lost? start here, this is an easy question:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snell%27s_law
To solve this physics problem, you can use Snell's law, which relates the angles and refractive indices of light as it passes from one medium to another. Here's how you can proceed:
1. Recognize the given information:
- First material's refractive index (n1) = 1.5
- Second material's refractive index (n2) = 1.7
- Incident angle (angle of incidence) = 45°
- The angle is measured with respect to the normal, so it is also 45° to the normal.
2. Recall Snell's law, which states: n1 * sin(theta1) = n2 * sin(theta2)
- In this equation, n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the materials, and theta1 and theta2 are the angles of incidence and refraction, respectively.
3. Rearrange Snell's law to solve for theta2 (the angle in the second material):
- Divide both sides of the equation by n2: sin(theta2) = (n1 / n2) * sin(theta1)
- Take the inverse sine (sin^-1) of both sides: theta2 = sin^-1((n1 / n2) * sin(theta1))
4. Substitute the given values into the equation:
- In this problem, n1 = 1.5, n2 = 1.7, and theta1 = 45°.
- Plug these values into the equation: theta2 = sin^-1((1.5 / 1.7) * sin(45°))
5. Use a scientific calculator to evaluate the expression:
- Calculate (1.5 / 1.7) * sin(45°) to find the value inside the inverse sine function.
- Then, take the inverse sine of that value using the sin^-1 function on your calculator.
6. The result will give you the value of theta2, which is the resulting angle from the normal in the second material.
By following these steps and substituting the given values into the appropriate equations, you should be able to find the resulting angle in the second material!