Question

I am having trouble answering this question. Im not sure if you need more information but the homework doesn't say exactly what information I need. I cannot find it in my book in this chapter.

Long Problem 1 - similar to Serway 22.35 Determine the critical angle for fused quartz surrounded by water. You may assume both the water and the quartz have temperature 20°C, and the light has wavelength of 589nm so that you can use information provided in the book.

Answer 1

When light is coming from a medium of refractive index n1 into n2 , then the critical angle is given as

$\theta$_c = arcsin (n2 / n1)

where n2 is refractive index for water = 1.333

for fused quartz, n1 = 1.458 (at 20 degree )

so,

$\theta$_c = arcsin ( 1.333 / 1.458)

$\theta$_c = 66.1 degree