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Data Source and Methodology
All calculations are based on Snell's Law as formulated in standard physics literature. For further details, refer to the Wikipedia article on Snell's Law. All calculations adhere strictly to these formulas.
The Formula Explained
Where \( n_1 \) and \( n_2 \) are the refractive indices of medium 1 and medium 2, and \( \theta_1 \) and \( \theta_2 \) are the angles of incidence and refraction, respectively.
Glossary of Variables
- Angle of Incidence (\( \theta_1 \)): The angle between the incident ray and the normal to the surface at the point of incidence.
- Index of Refraction (\( n_1, n_2 \)): A measure of how much the speed of light is reduced inside a medium.
- Angle of Refraction (\( \theta_2 \)): The angle between the refracted ray and the normal to the surface.
How It Works: A Step-by-Step Example
Consider a light ray entering water from air. If the angle of incidence is 30°, and the refractive index of air is 1.0 and that of water is 1.33, the angle of refraction can be calculated using Snell's Law:
\[ 1.0 \times \sin(30^\circ) = 1.33 \times \sin(\theta_2) \]
Solving for \( \theta_2 \), you find the angle of refraction to be approximately 22.09°.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Snell's Law?
Snell's Law relates the angles of incidence and refraction to the refractive indices of the two media involved.
How do I calculate the angle of refraction?
Use the formula \( n_1 \sin(\theta_1) = n_2 \sin(\theta_2) \) and solve for \( \theta_2 \).
What are refractive indices?
Refractive indices are numbers that describe how light propagates through a medium. The higher the index, the slower light travels in that medium.
Can Snell's Law be applied to any light wave?
Yes, Snell's Law can be applied to any type of light wave, including visible light, microwaves, and radio waves.
What happens if the angle of incidence is zero?
If the angle of incidence is zero, the light travels perpendicular to the boundary, and there is no refraction; the angle of refraction is also zero.