What is the equation for Snell's law?

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What is the equation for Snell's law?

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Answer 1 · 2014-04-14T15:50:46

www.biomedicale.univ-paris5.fr

where
$n_{1}$ $n_1$ is the index of refraction of the first substance that light travels through
$θ_{1}$ $theta_1$ is the angle of incidence
$n_{2}$ $n_2$ is the index of refraction of the second substance that light travels through
$θ_{2}$ $theta_2$ is the angle of refraction

Then you need to isolate your unknown.

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Example:

Light in air ( $n_{1}$ $n_1$ = 1.0003) is incident upon a block of crown glass ( $n_{2}$ $n_2$ = 1.52) at an angle of ${35.0}^{o}$ $35.0^o$ . What is the angle of refraction?

$n_{1}$ $n_1$ sin $θ_{1}$ $theta_1$ = $n_{2}$ $n_2$ sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$
(Isolate sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$ by dividing both sides by $n_{2}$ $n_2$ )
$n_{1}$ $n_1$ sin $θ_{1}$ $theta_1$ / $n_{2}$ $n_2$ = sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$
(1.0003) (sin 35.0) / 1.52 = sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$
0.5737 / 1.52 = sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$
0.3775 = sin $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$
(To find $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$ , you need to find the inverse sine of this value. On your calculator, press the 2nd function key, then the sine key.)
${22.2}^{o}$ $22.2^o$ = $θ_{2}$ $theta_2$

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What is the equation for Snell's law?

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