Question

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?

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

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.