Refraction Physics Example 1

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 1

medium
Light passes from air (n1=1.0n_1 = 1.0) into glass (n2=1.5n_2 = 1.5) at an angle of incidence of 30°30°. What is the angle of refraction?

Solution

  1. 1
    Apply Snell's law: n1sin⁡θ1=n2sin⁡θ2n_1 \sin\theta_1 = n_2 \sin\theta_2.
  2. 2
    1.0×sin⁡30°=1.5×sin⁡θ21.0 \times \sin 30° = 1.5 \times \sin\theta_2
  3. 3
    0.5=1.5sin⁡θ2  ⟹  sin⁡θ2=0.51.5=0.3330.5 = 1.5 \sin\theta_2 \implies \sin\theta_2 = \frac{0.5}{1.5} = 0.333
  4. 4
    θ2=sin⁡−1(0.333)≈19.5°\theta_2 = \sin^{-1}(0.333) \approx 19.5°

Answer

θ2≈19.5°\theta_2 \approx 19.5°
Refraction occurs when light changes speed as it enters a different medium. Light bends toward the normal when entering a denser medium (higher refractive index).

About Refraction

The change in direction of a wave as it passes from one medium into another where it travels at a different speed.

Learn more about Refraction →

More Refraction Examples

Example 2 hard

What is the critical angle for light going from glass ([formula]) to air ([formula])?

Example 3 medium

Light travels from water ([formula]) into air ([formula]) at an angle of incidence of [formula]. Wha

Example 4 hard

Light enters a diamond ([formula]) from air ([formula]) at an angle of incidence of [formula]. Find

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