Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 33 - Electromagnetic Waves - Problems - Page 1009: 106d

Answer

$\theta = 26.1^{\circ}$

Work Step by Step

We can use Equation (33-45) to find the critical angle $\theta_c$ at the interface between materials 2 and 3: $\theta_c = sin^{-1}~\frac{n_3}{n_2}$ $\theta_c = sin^{-1}~\frac{1.30}{1.50}$ $\theta_c = 60.1^{\circ}$ If the ray is incident at point B at the critical angle $\theta_c$, then the angle of refraction at the interface between materials 1 and 2 is $\theta_2 = 90.0^{\circ}-60.1^{\circ} = 29.9^{\circ}$ We can use Snell's law to find $\theta$: $n_1~sin~\theta = n_2~sin~\theta_2$ $sin~\theta = \frac{n_2~sin~\theta_2}{n_1}$ $\theta = sin^{-1}~(\frac{n_2~sin~\theta_2}{n_1})$ $\theta = sin^{-1}~(\frac{1.50~sin~29.9^{\circ}}{1.70})$ $\theta = sin^{-1}~(0.43984)$ $\theta = 26.1^{\circ}$
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