Air to Water
\(n_1=1.00, n_2=1.33, \theta_1=30° \rightarrow \theta_2=22.1°\) (bends toward normal)
Snell's Law Calculator
Calculate refraction angles using Snell's law with interactive visualizations
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Theory & Formula
Snell's Law describes how light bends when passing between media with different refractive indices.
Key Concepts:
- Refraction: Bending of light at the interface between two media
- Refractive Index: \(n\) = Ratio of speed of light in vacuum to speed in medium
- Denser to less dense: Light bends away from normal \((\theta_2 > \theta_1)\)
- Less dense to denser: Light bends toward normal \((\theta_2 < \theta_1)\)
Total Internal Reflection:
- Occurs when light travels from denser to less dense medium
- Incident angle exceeds critical angle: \(\theta_1 > \theta_c\)
- Critical angle: \(\theta_c = \arcsin(n_2/n_1)\)
- All light is reflected back, no refraction occurs
- Used in optical fibers, prisms, and diamonds
Common Refractive Indices:
- Vacuum/Air: 1.00
- Ice: 1.31
- Water: 1.33
- Glass: 1.50-1.90
- Diamond: 2.42
\(n_1 \sin(\theta_1) = n_2 \sin(\theta_2)\)
Worked Examples
Water to Air
\(n_1=1.33, n_2=1.00, \theta_1=50° \rightarrow \theta_2\approx\) undefined (TIR, \(\theta_c=48.8°\))
Air to Diamond
\(n_1=1.00, n_2=2.42, \theta_1=30° \rightarrow \theta_2=11.9°\) (strong bending)