everyday science MCQ #49453

The mathematical form of Snell's Law is n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂. If light travels from water (n=1.33) into air (n=1.00) and the angle of incidence is 30°, the angle of refraction is approximately:

everyday science MCQ #49453

  1. Question 1

    Q1. The mathematical form of Snell's Law is n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂. If light travels from water (n=1.33) into air (n=1.00) and the angle of incidence is 30°, the angle of refraction is approximately:

    • A) 19.6°
    • B) 41.7°
    • C) 60.0°
    • D) 72.5°

    Answer: 41.7°

    Explanation: Applying Snell's Law: 1.33 × sin30° = 1.00 × sinθ₂; sinθ₂ = 1.33 × 0.5 = 0.665; θ₂ = arcsin(0.665) ≈ 41.7°, confirming that light bends away from the normal when moving into a less dense medium.