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 - Questions - Page 1000: 12

Answer

We can rank the materials according to index of refraction: $d \gt b \gt a \gt c$

Work Step by Step

According to Snell's law: $n_2~sin~\theta_2 = n_1~sin~\theta_1$ $\theta_a \gt \theta_b$, and so $n_b \gt n_a$ Note that: $n_a~sin~\theta_a = n_b~sin~\theta_b = n_c~sin~\theta_c$ $\theta_c \gt \theta_a$, and so $n_a \gt n_c$ Note that: $n_b~sin~\theta_b = n_c~sin~\theta_c = n_d~sin~\theta_d$ $\theta_b \gt \theta_d$, and so $n_d \gt n_b$ We can rank the materials according to index of refraction: $d \gt b \gt a \gt c$
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