Question

The index of refraction of a type of glass is 1.50, and the index of refraction of water is 1.33. If light enters water from this glass, the angle of refraction will be:__________

a. less than the angle of incidence.
b. equal to the angle of incidence.
c. greater than the angle of incidence.

Answer 1

Option C - the angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence

Step-by-step explanation:

Snell's law of refraction states that;

n1 sinθ1 = n2 sinθ2

Where;

n1 is refractive index of incidence medium

θ1 is angle of incidence

n2 is Refractive index of refraction medium

θ2 is angle of refraction

For This question, n1 = 1.5 and n2 = 1.33

Thus;

1.5 sinθ1 = 1.33 sinθ2

Rearranging, we have;

sinθ1/sinθ2 = 1.33/1.5

We know from trigonometry, that sin 0 = 0 and sin 90 = 1. So, as θ approaches 0°, the value of sinθ decreases while as it approaches 90°,the value of sinθ increases.

Thus, by inspection, we can say that the value of the denominator is higher than the numerator.

Thus, θ2 is greater than θ1

So, the angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence