Chapter 33, Problem 46P

In Fig. 33-47a, a light ray in an underlying material is incident at angle θ₁ on a boundary with water, and some of the light refracts into the water. There are two choices of underlying material. For each, the angle of refraction θ₂ versus the incident angle θ₁ is given in Fig. 33-47b.The horizontal axis scale is set by θ_1s = 90°. Without calculation, determine whether the index of refraction of (a) material 1 and (b) material 2 is greater or less than the index of water (n = 1.33). What is the index of refraction of (c) material 1 and (d) material 2?

Figure 33-47 Problem 46.