What is the critical angle of light traveling from benzene (n=1.501) into air?
40.05o
48.22o
41.78o
62.63o
θ=arcsin(1/n)=arcsin(1/1.501) =41.78°
To find the critical angle of light traveling from benzene (n=1.501) into air, we need to use Snell's law, which relates the angles and refractive indices of light when it passes through different mediums.
Snell's law states that the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence (θ1) and refraction (θ2) is equal to the ratio of the refractive indices (n1 and n2) of the two mediums:
n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2)
In this case, the light is traveling from benzene (n1 = 1.501) into air (n2 = 1.000). The critical angle occurs when the angle of refraction is 90 degrees, which means the light is just grazing the surface of the medium.
To find the critical angle, we need to solve for θ1 when θ2 is 90 degrees:
1.501 * sin(θ1) = 1.000 * sin(90)
sin(θ1) = 1.000 / 1.501
θ1 = arcsin(1.000 / 1.501)
Using a calculator, we can find the arcsine of 1.000 / 1.501, which gives us the critical angle:
θ1 ≈ 41.78 degrees
Therefore, the correct answer is 41.78o.