- #1
lpettigrew
- 115
- 10
- Homework Statement
- Hello, I have a question concerning calculating the angles of refraction through different mediums. I have attached the questions and a photograph of my workings. I have answered the question fully and thoroughly shown my method but I would be extremely grateful if someone was able to review all of my workings to see if the angles I have calculated are correct. I have not faced such a broad refraction calculation problem like this before which is why I feel a little unsteady.
The question states ;
The image attached depicts three different mediums joined together. Block A has a refractive index of 1.52
Block B has a refractive index of 1.2
Block C has a refractive index of 1.4.
A ray of light travels through air into Block A, (assume air has a refractive index of 1.00).
1. The diagram displays the path of light when θ1 = 78.
Calculate all of the remaining angles up to and including the point where it leaves the blocks (θ2 to θ8).
2. Draw another diagram where the angle of incidence of θ1 = 68°. Calculate all of the angles up to and including the point where it leaves the blocks.
- Relevant Equations
- Snell's Law; n1sinθ1=n2sinθ2
1. I have calculated the first angle using Snell's Law and with subsequent proceeding angles I am uncertain whether my workings are correct since I have used basic laws of geometry that all internal angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees and that alternate angles are equal to find proceeding angles in the same medium, e.g. to find θ3 I imagined a right-angled triangle, where θ2 and θ3 are the other interior angles.
θ3=180-(90+θ2)
I am not sure whether my methodology is correct or appropriate and would appreciate any advice on improvements I could make.
2. I have assumed the same method and proceeded to calculate angles θ2- θ8 accordingly. I must note that I realize the scale of my diagram is too small to properly exhibit the smaller angles (e.g. θ6=3 degrees) and I will draw another larger scale diagram as a better example.
Thank you to anyone who replies
θ3=180-(90+θ2)
I am not sure whether my methodology is correct or appropriate and would appreciate any advice on improvements I could make.
2. I have assumed the same method and proceeded to calculate angles θ2- θ8 accordingly. I must note that I realize the scale of my diagram is too small to properly exhibit the smaller angles (e.g. θ6=3 degrees) and I will draw another larger scale diagram as a better example.
Thank you to anyone who replies
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