Chapter 23, Problem 8Q

To determine

The angle of refraction, when a ray light is incident perpendicular to the boundary between two transparent materials.

Answer to Problem 8Q

Solution:

The angle of refraction is zero.

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The light ray incident perpendicular to the boundary between two transparent materials.

Formula used:

The snell’s law is given by

$\frac{n_2}{n_1}=\frac{\sin {\theta }_i}{\sin {\theta }_r}$

Where

$n_2\text{ is the refractive index of the medium 2}$

$n_1\text{ is the refractive index of the medium 1}$

${\theta }_i{\text{ angle of incidence and is 0}}^o$

${\theta }_r\text{ angle of refraction }$

Calculation:

As ${\theta }_i=0$, $\sin {\theta }_i=0$, then from the equation

$\sin {\theta }_r=0$

$\therefore {\theta }_r=0$

The angle of refraction is also zero irrespective of which materials are used.