Solve Refracted Ray Problem: Find Angle of Refraction

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In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of the refractive index of a transparent material by measuring the critical angle and using Snell's law. The refractive index is found to be 1.54 and the angles of the reflected and refracted rays are calculated to be 37.9 degrees and 23.5 degrees, respectively. The last part of the conversation involves the light ray exiting the material and striking the material-air boundary at an angle of 37.9 degrees, but the angle of the refracted ray is not provided.
  • #1
carpelumen
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I figured out the first few, I just can't get the last one!

-The refractive index of a transparent material can be determined by measuring the critical angle when the solid is in air. If θc= 40.4° what is the index of refraction of the material?
1.54

-A light ray strikes this material (from air) at an angle of 37.9° with respect to the normal of the surface. Calculate the angle of the reflected ray (in degrees).
37.9 deg

-Calculate the angle of the refracted ray (in degrees).

23.5 deg

Assume now that the light ray exits the material. It strikes the material-air boundary at an angle of 37.9° with respect to the normal. What is the angle of the refracted ray?
?

Homework Equations


Refractive index x sin (theta)

The Attempt at a Solution


[/B]
1.54 x sin (37.9) = .945999What am I doing wrong?
 
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  • #2
Do you know Snell's law? What you wrote there is incomplete. Wrote the complete law.
 
  • #3
I figured it out. Thanks
 

Related to Solve Refracted Ray Problem: Find Angle of Refraction

1. What is a refracted ray problem?

A refracted ray problem involves finding the angle of refraction when a light ray passes through a medium with a different refractive index.

2. What is the angle of refraction?

The angle of refraction is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal line to the surface of the medium.

3. How do you solve a refracted ray problem?

To solve a refracted ray problem, you can use Snell's law which states that the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence and refraction is equal to the ratio of the refractive indices of the two media.

4. What information do you need to solve a refracted ray problem?

You will need to know the angle of incidence, the refractive indices of the two media, and the speed of light in each medium.

5. What are some real-life applications of solving refracted ray problems?

Solving refracted ray problems is crucial in understanding the behavior of light in different media, which has applications in fields such as optics, astronomy, and engineering. It is also used in everyday technologies such as lenses, glasses, and optical fibers.

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