what is the critical angle for light traveling from crown glass (n = 1.52) into water (n = 1.33)?

Question

What is the critical angle for light traveling from crown glass (n = 1.52) into water (n = 1.33)?

Answer

The final answer to the above question is that the critical angle is 61 degrees (61⁰)

Proof

Here is the method I applied to solve the problem:

Data

We will identify our data from the above question

The light travels from crown glass = Incident Light = n_i = 1.52

It then passes through water = Refracted ray of light = n_r = 1.33

According to the definition of the critical angle. When light passes through a denser to a less dense medium, it forms an angle of 90⁰. Therefore, the angle of refraction, θ_r = 90⁰

Unknown

The critical angle, θ_i = ?

Formula

We will apply the formula

n_isinθ_i = n_rsinθ_r

Solution

what is the critical angle for light traveling from crown glass (n = 1.52) into water (n = 1.33)?

Hence, insert the data into the formula

1.52 x sinθ_i = 1.33 sin90⁰

Divide both sides by 1.52 to obtain

sinθ_i = (1.33 x sin90⁰) / 1.52 = (1.33 x 1) / 1.52 = 1.33 / 1.52 = 0.875

Hence, sinθ_i = 0.875

We will make θ_i subject of the formula

θ_i = sin^-1 0.875 = 61.04498⁰

Therefore, the critical angle θ_i is 61 degrees.

You may also like to read:

How are Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Similar?

Sources:

light.physics