A ray of light travels from air into a liquid, The ray enters the liquid at an angle of 30.0°. The angle of refraction is 22.0°. Using Snell’s law, calculate the: index of refraction of the liquid. What might the liquid be?

2 Answers
Jul 3, 2018

Here #"angle of incidence" (i)=30^@#

#"angle of refraction" (r)=22^@#

Then refractive index

#mu=sini/sinr=sin30/sin22=1.33#

So the liquid is water

Jul 4, 2018

The liquid is water #(H_2O)#.

Explanation:

Snell's law states that:

#n_1sini=n_2sinr#

where:

  • #i# is the angle of incidence

  • #r# is the angle of refraction

  • #n_1# is the refractive index of substance #1#

  • #n_2# is the refractive index of substance #2#

For air, the refractive index is #1#, and so:

#:.sin30=n_2*sin22#

#n_2=(sin30)/(sin22)#

#~~1.33#

From here, water seems to have a refractive index of #1.33#, and so this liquid is water.