What are the steps to calculate the angle of refraction using Snell's Law?

Identify $n_1$ , $\theta_1$ , and $n_2$ . 2. Use the formula $n_1 sin \theta_1 = n_2 sin \theta_2$ . 3. Rearrange to solve for $\theta_2 = \sin^{-1}(\frac{n_1 sin \theta_1}{n_2})$ . 4. Calculate $\theta_2$ .

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What are the steps to calculate the angle of refraction using Snell's Law?

Identify $n_1$ , $\theta_1$ , and $n_2$ . 2. Use the formula $n_1 sin \theta_1 = n_2 sin \theta_2$ . 3. Rearrange to solve for $\theta_2 = \sin^{-1}(\frac{n_1 sin \theta_1}{n_2})$ . 4. Calculate $\theta_2$ .

How do you determine if total internal reflection will occur?

Light must be traveling from a higher index ( $n_1$ ) to a lower index ( $n_2$ ) medium. 2. Calculate the critical angle: $\theta_{\text{critical}} = \sin^{-1}(\frac{n_2}{n_1})$ . 3. If the angle of incidence ( $\theta_1$ ) is greater than $\theta_{\text{critical}}$ , total internal reflection occurs.

What are the steps to find the index of refraction of a medium?

Measure the speed of light (v) in the medium. 2. Recall the speed of light in a vacuum (c ≈ 3 × 10⁸ m/s). 3. Use the formula: $n = \frac{c}{v}$ .

What is the effect of increasing the index of refraction on the speed of light in a medium?

The speed of light decreases.

What happens when light travels from a medium with a higher index of refraction to a lower one at an angle greater than the critical angle?

Total internal reflection occurs; the light is completely reflected back into the original medium.

What is the effect of light hitting a surface perpendicularly?

The light passes straight through without bending (no refraction).

What happens when light travels from air to water?

The light slows down and bends towards the normal.

What happens to the angle of refraction when light travels from a higher index of refraction to a lower index of refraction?

The angle of refraction increases, bending away from the normal.

What is the effect of light entering a medium with a higher index of refraction?

The light bends towards the normal and slows down.

What happens if the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle when light tries to move from a higher to a lower index of refraction?

Total internal reflection occurs; all light is reflected back into the original medium.

What is the effect of increasing the difference in refractive indices between two media?

The amount of bending (refraction) of light increases.

What is the effect of light hitting a surface perpendicularly?

The light does not bend and passes straight through the surface.

What is the effect of light traveling from water to air at an angle less than the critical angle?

The light will refract away from the normal, and some light will be reflected.