For a certain pair of materials with unknown indices of refraction, the angle of
ID: 1548108 • Letter: F
Question
For a certain pair of materials with unknown indices of refraction, the angle of incidence is 19 degrees, the angle of refraction in the second medium is 31.7 degrees, and the critical angle is 38.2 degrees.
What are the indices of refraction of the two media? Use principles of physics to solve for these values, and confirm your answers with the simulation. Note that your answers should be expressed with two significant figures, as are the indices of refraction in the simulation.
The index of refraction of medium 1 is _____
The index of refraction of medium 2 is______
Explanation / Answer
critical angle, C = 38.2o
from Snell's law ,
sin C / sin 90 = 1 / n
1/ n = sin 38.2 / sin 90
= 0.6184
n = 1.617
The angle of incidence, i = 19o
angle of refraction, r = 31.7o
From Snell's law ,
sin i / sin r = n / n '
sin 19 / sin31.7= 1.617 / n '
n ' = 2.609
= 2.61