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What is the angle of refraction (relative to the boundary normal) of a diamond in contact with water according to Snell's law? The indices of refraction for water and diamond are respectively #1.33# and #2.42#.

Answer 1

Benjamin Asiedu

In this case, the equation is

#n_"water"sintheta_"water" = n_"diamond"sintheta_"diamond"#.

Since we know #theta_"water"#, and #n_"water" ~~ 1.33# and #n_"diamond" ~~ 2.42#, solve for #theta_"diamond"#.

#theta_"diamond" = arcsin(n_"water"/n_"diamond" sintheta_"water")#

Recall that refraction angles are measured with respect to the normal.

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Answer 2

Charles Aeschliman

The angle of refraction of a diamond in contact with water, according to Snell's law, is approximately 24.4 degrees.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.