Physics

Physics

Problem

For three separate experiments, a ray of light in air strikes the surface of (1) water (n=1.33)(n=1.33), (2) crown glass (n=1.52)(n=1.52), and (3) diamond (n=2.42)(n=2.42) at the same incident angle of 35° from the normal. Rank the three media according to the SIZE of the refracted angle measured from the normal, from smallest to largest. a) water<crown glass<diamond\text{water} < \text{crown glass} < \text{diamond} b) crown glass<water<diamond\text{crown glass} < \text{water} < \text{diamond} c) diamond<crown glass<water\text{diamond} < \text{crown glass} < \text{water} d) diamond<water<crown glass\text{diamond} < \text{water} < \text{crown glass}
Intuitive explanation

Refraction is about how light bends when it crosses into a denser medium—and the key is Snell's law: n1sin⁡θ1=n2sin⁡θ2n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2. Since the incident angle and air's refractive index are fixed, a higher refractive index in the second medium means the refracted angle must be smaller to keep the equation balanced. Think of it this way: denser materials "grab" light more strongly, bending it closer to the normal.

Intuitive explanation

Refraction is about how light bends when it crosses into a denser medium—and the key is Snell's law: n1sin⁡θ1=n2sin⁡θ2n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2. Since the incident angle and air's refractive index are fixed, a higher refractive index in the second medium means the refracted angle must be smaller to keep the equation balanced. Think of it this way: denser materials "grab" light more strongly, bending it closer to the normal.

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