Question

A light day moves through air and approaches a body of water at an angle of 30 degrees. Find the angle of refraction (n=1.00 air) (n=1.33 water).

A. 15 degrees
B. 30 degrees
C. 45 degrees
D. 60 degrees

Answer 1

The angle of refraction when light passes from air to water at an angle of 30 degrees is approximately 26.2 degrees.

Step-by-step explanation:

According to Snell's law, which is used to calculate the angle of refraction when light passes from one medium to another, we have:

n1sin(θ1) = n2sin(θ2)

Given that n1 = 1.00 (air) and n2 = 1.33 (water) and θ1 = 30 degrees, we can solve for θ2.

n1sin(θ1) = n2sin(θ2)

1.00 * sin(30) = 1.33 * sin(θ2)

Simplifying the equation, we find that sin(θ2) = (1.00 * sin(30))/1.33 = 0.4496

Taking the inverse sine of both sides, we find that θ2 = arcsin(0.4496) = 26.2 degrees

Therefore, the angle of refraction when light passes from air to water at an angle of 30 degrees is approximately 26.2 degrees.