The Photographer's Polarizing Filter · AI Generator #GEN-20A54581
Physics · optics
Problem
A wildlife photographer is trying to photograph fish through the surface of a clear lake. To reduce glare from the water surface, she uses a polarizing filter on her camera lens. The filter completely blocks reflected light when oriented correctly.
The photographer holds her camera at an angle of 37° below the horizontal when pointing toward the water surface. At this angle, she finds that the polarizing filter completely eliminates the glare from the water surface.
What is the refractive index of the lake water? Assume the air has a refractive index of 1.00.