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Light travels through ethanol and strikes the surface of plexiglass at an angle of 48^o. At what angle does it continue through?

ethanol = 1.361n

plexiglas = 1.51n

Answer options:

30 Degrees

53 Degrees

63 Degrees

42 Degrees

2 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    4 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂

    1.36sin(48°) = 1.51sinθ₂

    sinθ₂ = 1.36 x 0.7431 /1.51 = 0.669

    θ₂ = sin⁻¹(0.669) = 42°

    Note you can 'guess' the answer without any calculations. The angle must reduce (be less than 48°) because we are entering a material of higher refractive index.

    And the change in angle will be small because the refractive indices are quite similar. So 42° is the natural guess if you are short of time in an exam'.

  • Anonymous
    4 years ago

    Do your own homework.

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