Share
A light beam is traveling through an unknown substance. When it strikes a boundary between that substance and the air (nair≈1), the angle of
Question
A light beam is traveling through an unknown substance. When it strikes a boundary between that substance and the air (nair≈1), the angle of reflection is 29.0∘ and the angle of refraction is 39.0∘. What is the index of refraction n of the substance?
in progress
0
Physics
3 years
2021-08-09T14:54:56+00:00
2021-08-09T14:54:56+00:00 1 Answers
26 views
0
Answers ( )
Answer:
0.7707
Explanation:
From Snell’s law,
n(1) * sin θ1 = n(2) * sinθ2
Where n(1) = refractive index of air = 1.0003
θ1 = angle of incidence
n(2) = refractive index of second substance
θ2 = angle of refraction
The angle of reflection through the unknown substance is the same as the angle of incidence of air. Thus this means that θ1 = 29°
=> 1.0003 * sin29 = n(2) * sin39
n(2) = (1.0003 * sin29) / sin39
n(2) = 0.7707
Explanation: