Question

A jeweler is determining the optical properties of an unknown blue gemstone. She uses an angle of incidence of 62°, and measures an angle of refraction of 30°. Assuming the index of refraction of air is 1. 0, what is the index of refraction of the gem?.

Answer 1

1.77

Step-by-step explanation:

Snell's law:

`(n_1)/(n_2) = (sin(theta_2))/(sin(theta_1)) \\\\n_1 = 1.0\\n_2 = x\\theta_1 = 62\\theta_2 = 30\\\\n_2 = (sin(theta_1))/(sin(theta_2)) * n_1\\n_2 = 1.76589 ... 1.77 (3 sig fig)`