Reflection and Refraction

This activity corresponds to the topic of Optics, in which you will apply the laws of reflection and refraction to predict and verify the behavior of light when interacting with different surfaces and media.

Adjust the angle of incidence and the refracting medium, predict the refracted angle using Snell's Law, then check your answer with the simulation.


Angle of incidence (θ₁) 30 °
Refracting medium
Air
n=1.00
Water
n=1.33
Glass
n=1.50
Diamond
n=2.42
Total internal reflection: the ray does not pass into the second medium. Why does this happen?
Snell's Law: n₁ · sin(θ₁) = n₂ · sin(θ₂)  |  n₁(air) = 1.00  |  n₂ = 1.00
What do you predict the refracted angle (θ₂) will be?
My prediction:
Reflected angle (θᵣ)
30°
Refracted angle (θ₂)
30.0°
Critical angle
Privacy | Cookies | Legal | Contact