1. ## Angle of Refraction

What exactly do i do in a problem like this? It threw me off when I saw snell's law.

In snell's law, -0- is the angle of incidence, -0-(2) is the angle of refraction, and n is the index of refraction. The index of refraction for a diamond is 2.42. if a beam of light strikes a diamond at an angle of incidence of 60 degrees, find the angle of refraction...

Can some one list the steps, [ not the answer! ] so I can get an understanding of how to work such problems please?

2. Hello, topaz192!

$\frac{\sin\theta_i}{\sin\theta_r} \:=\:n$

In Snell's law, $\theta_i$ is the angle of incidence, $\theta_r$ is the angle of refraction,
and $n$ is the index of refraction.

The index of refraction for a diamond is 2.42.
If a beam of light strikes a diamond at an angle of incidence of 60°,
find the angle of refraction.

We are given: . $\theta_i = 60^o,\;n = 2.42$

Substitute into the law: . $\frac{\sin 60^o}{\sin\theta_r} \:=\:2.42 \quad\Rightarrow\quad \sin\theta_r \:=\:\frac{\sin60^o}{2.42}\:=\:0.357861737$

Therefore: . $\theta_r \;=\;\sin^{-1}(0.357861737) \;=\;20.96893592^o \;\approx\;\boxed{21^o}$

3. Omigosh. It was soo much simplier than I thought.

Thanks so much!

I understand. I just need to look up what index of refraction is and what not