# 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?

Jul 3, 2018

Here $\text{angle of incidence} \left(i\right) = {30}^{\circ}$

$\text{angle of refraction} \left(r\right) = {22}^{\circ}$

Then refractive index

$\mu = \sin \frac{i}{\sin} r = \sin \frac{30}{\sin} 22 = 1.33$

So the liquid is water

Jul 4, 2018

The liquid is water $\left({H}_{2} O\right)$.

#### Explanation:

Snell's law states that:

${n}_{1} \sin i = {n}_{2} \sin r$

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:

$\therefore \sin 30 = {n}_{2} \cdot \sin 22$

${n}_{2} = \frac{\sin 30}{\sin 22}$

$\approx 1.33$

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