A ray of light traveling in air (n1 = 1.00) strikes a flat glass block (n2 = 1.50) at an angle of incidence of 30°. What is the angle of refraction inside the glass?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. 19.5°
- Step 1: Apply Snell's Law of Refraction: n1 sin(theta1) = n2 sin(theta2).
- Step 2: Substitute values: 1.00 sin(30°) = 1.50 sin(theta2).
- Step 3: Since sin(30°) = 0.50: 0.50 = 1.50 * sin(theta2) => sin(theta2) = 0.50 / 1.50 = 1/3 approx 0.3333.
- Step 4: Find angle: theta2 = arcsin(0.3333) approx 19.47° approx 19.5°.
Answer
19.5°.
Why not the others: '45.0°' multiplies 30° by 1.50; '22.5°' divides 45° by 2; '15.0°' divides 30° by 2 without using trigonometric sine functions.
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