Physics Review Question

Unit: Waves
Year: 1994 Question#: 49
Question: A ray of light (wavelength = 5.9 x 10^-7 meter) traveling in a crown glass is incident on a diamond interface at an angle of 30.°, as shown in the diagram below.

The angle of refraction for the light ray is closest to

(1 ) 12°
(2 ) 18°
(3 ) 30°
(4 ) 53°

What is this question really asking?


Explanation by: Jessica S

[ Return to question menu ]













Answer 1
12°

INCORRECT

This is a question testing your ability to plug values into a formula, namely Snell's law, which says that n₁Sin X₁ = n₂Sin X₂, where X is the angle from the normal in degrees, and n is the absolute index of refraction for the material, provided the wavelength of light is 5.9 x 10^-7 meters, which it is in this problem. Try this problem again with this in mind. return to top























Answer 2
18°

CORRECT

This is a question testing your ability to plug values into a formula, namely Snell's law, which says that n₁Sin X₁ = n₂Sin X₂, where X is the angle from the normal in degrees, and n is the absolute index of refraction for the material, provided the wavelength of light is 5.9 x 10^-7 meters, which it is in this problem. In this problem, X₂ is the variable. Putting in the known values (1.52 is the absolute index of refraction for crown glass, Sin X₁ = Sin 30°, and 2.42 is the absolute ndice of refraction for diamond), we get 1.52 x 1/2 = 2.42 x Sin X₂. Solving for X, we get X is approximately equal to 18 degrees. return to top



























Answer 3
30°

INCORRECT

This is a question testing your ability to plug values into a formula, namely Snell's law, which says that n₁Sin X₁ = n₂Sin X₂, where X is the angle from the normal in degrees, and n is the absolute index of refraction for the material, provided the wavelength of light is 5.9 x 10^-7 meters, which it is in this problem. Try this problem again with this in mind. return to top


























Answer 4
53°

INCORRECT

This is a question testing your ability to plug values into a formula, namely Snell's law, which says that n₁Sin X₁ = n₂Sin X₂, where X is the angle from the normal in degrees, and n is the absolute index of refraction for the material, provided the wavelength of light is 5.9 x 10^-7 meters, which it is in this problem. Try this problem again with this in mind. return to top


























What's this question really asking?

This question is testing your ability to use Snell's Law, which states

n₁Sin X₁ = n₂Sin X₂

[Home]  [Lessons]  [Review]  [Search]  [Links]

This web site is designed and maintained by Science Joy Wagon and may not be reproduced or redistributed without written permission from Science Joy Wagon.
Contact with comments.