A sapphire is placed in water. An incoming beam of light inside the water hits the sapphire at 35 degrees. What angle will the light ray refract at? SHOW YOUR WORK!

Answer 1

The angle of refraction (θ2) can be calculated using Snell's Law:

n1sinθ1 = n2sinθ2

where n1 is the refractive index of the medium the light is entering (in this case, water) and n2 is the refractive index of the medium the light is leaving (in this case, sapphire).

The refractive index of water is 1.33 and the refractive index of sapphire is 1.77.

Therefore,

1.33sin35 = 1.77sinθ2

sinθ2 = (1.33sin35)/1.77

θ2 = arcsin((1.33sin35)/1.77)

θ2 = 22.2 degrees