Question

It's nighttime, and you've dropped your goggles into a 3.2-m-deep swimming pool. If you hold a laser pointer 1.2 m above the edge of the pool, you can illuminate the goggles if the laser beam enters the water 2.0 m from the edge.

How far are the goggles from the edge of the pool?

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Laser angle with water surface is given by: Tan α = 1/2.0= 0.5/

α = 26.56°

Laser angle with Normal = 90 - 26.56 = 63.44 °

Assuming a red laser, refractive index in water is 1.331.

Angle of refraction in water is given by:

Ref Ind = Sin i / Sin r

1.331 = Sin 63.44 / Sin r

Sin r = 0.8945 / 1.331 = 0.6721

Angle r = 42.22°

For the path in water:

Tan 42.22 = x / 3.2

x = 2.9m where x is the lateral displacement of the laser ince it hits the water

So the goggles are 2.0 + 2.9 = 4.9 m from edge of pool