In this example, we will apply Snell's law to the refraction of light across a water–air interface. Suppose you kneel beside the fishpond in your backyard and look at one of the fish. You see it by sunlight that reflects off the fish and refracts at the water–air interface. If the light from the fish to your eye strikes the water–air interface at an angle of 60.0∘∘ to the interface, what is the angle of refraction of the ray in the air?
Refraction of Light
Refraction is a change in the direction of light rays when they travel from one medium to another. It is the bending of light when it goes through different media.
Angle of Refraction
Light is considered by many scientists to have dual nature, both particle nature and wave nature. First, Particle nature is one in which we consider a stream of packets of energy called photons. Second, Wave nature is considering light as electromagnetic radiation whereas part of it is perceived by humans. Visible spectrum defined by humans lies in a range of 400 to 700 nm wavelengths.
Index of Refraction of Diamond
Diamond, the world’s hardest naturally occurring material and mineral known, is a solid form of the element carbon. The atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. They exist in a huge variety of colours. Also, they are one of the best conductors of heat and have a very high melting point.
In this example, we will apply Snell's law to the refraction of light across a water–air interface. Suppose you kneel beside the fishpond in your backyard and look at one of the fish. You see it by sunlight that reflects off the fish and refracts at the water–air interface. If the light from the fish to your eye strikes the water–air interface at an angle of 60.0∘∘ to the interface, what is the angle of refraction of the ray in the air?
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