Leaving Cert Physics Light: Calculate the refractive index o

Calculate the refractive index of the glass block shown in the diagram - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2018

Question b

$Calculate-the-refractive-index-of-the-glass-block-shown-in-the-diagram-Leaving Cert Physics-Question b-2018.png$

Calculate the refractive index of the glass block shown in the diagram. The angles given in the diagram are: - Angle of incidence (in air): 40° - Angle of refractio... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Calculate the refractive index of the glass block shown in the diagram - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2018

Step 1

Identify the known values

96%

114 rated

Answer

From the diagram, we have:

Angle of incidence, $heta_1 = 40°$
Angle of refraction, $heta_2 = 25°$
Refractive index of air, $n_1 = 1$ (approximately)

Step 2

Apply Snell's Law

99%

104 rated

Answer

Snell's Law states: $n_1 imes ext{sin}( heta_1) = n_2 imes ext{sin}( heta_2)$

We can rearrange this to find the refractive index of glass, $n_2$ : $n_2 = rac{n_1 imes ext{sin}( heta_1)}{ ext{sin}( heta_2)}$

Step 3

Substitute the values into the equation

96%

101 rated

Answer

Substituting the values into the equation: $n_2 = rac{1 imes ext{sin}(40°)}{ ext{sin}(25°)}$

Step 4

Calculate the refractive index

98%

120 rated

Answer

Using a calculator, we find:

$ext{sin}(40°) \approx 0.6428$
$ext{sin}(25°) \approx 0.4226$

Thus: $n_2 = rac{0.6428}{0.4226} \approx 1.52$

The refractive index of the glass block is approximately 1.52.

Calculate the refractive index of the glass block shown in the diagram - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2018

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Calculate the refractive index of the glass block shown in the diagram - Leaving Cert Physics - Question b - 2018

Identify the known values

Apply Snell's Law

Substitute the values into the equation

Calculate the refractive index

Join the Leaving Cert students using SimpleStudy...