College

As light shines from air into another medium, with an angle of incidence [tex]$i = 30.0^{\circ}$[/tex], the light bends toward the normal and refracts at an angle [tex]$r = 22.0^{\circ}$[/tex]. What is the index of refraction?

[tex]n =[/tex]

A. 0.0262
B. 1.33
C. 0.751
D. 38.2

Answer :

We start with Snell's law, which relates the indices of refraction to the corresponding angles of incidence and refraction:

[tex]$$
n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2.
$$[/tex]

Given that the light is coming from air, we have [tex]$n_1 = 1$[/tex], the angle of incidence is [tex]$\theta_1 = 30.0^\circ$[/tex], and the angle of refraction is [tex]$\theta_2 = 22.0^\circ$[/tex]. Substituting these values into Snell's law gives:

[tex]$$
1 \cdot \sin 30.0^\circ = n_2 \sin 22.0^\circ.
$$[/tex]

We know that:

[tex]$$
\sin 30.0^\circ = 0.5.
$$[/tex]

To solve for the index of refraction [tex]$n_2$[/tex], we rearrange the equation:

[tex]$$
n_2 = \frac{\sin 30.0^\circ}{\sin 22.0^\circ} = \frac{0.5}{\sin 22.0^\circ}.
$$[/tex]

Calculating or using a known approximate value for [tex]$\sin 22.0^\circ$[/tex], we have:

[tex]$$
\sin 22.0^\circ \approx 0.3746.
$$[/tex]

Thus,

[tex]$$
n_2 \approx \frac{0.5}{0.3746} \approx 1.33.
$$[/tex]

Therefore, the index of refraction is:

[tex]$$
\boxed{1.33}.
$$[/tex]

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