THE RELATION BETWEEN ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND AND ANGLE OF REFRACTION WORKING MODEL

THE RELATION BETWEEN ANGLE OF INCIDENCE AND AND ANGLE OF REFRACTION

The relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction is described by Snell’s Law. This law states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speed of light in the first medium to the speed of light in the second medium.

Mathematically, Snell’s Law is expressed as:

n1 x sin(θ1) = n2 x sin(θ2)

Where:
– n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the first and second mediums respectively
– θ1 is the angle of incidence
– θ2 is the angle of refraction

This relationship shows that as the angle of incidence changes, the angle of refraction will also change accordingly. When light passes from a medium with a lower refractive index to a medium with a higher refractive index, the angle of refraction will be smaller than the angle of incidence. Conversely, when light passes from a medium with a higher refractive index to a medium with a lower refractive index, the angle of refraction will be larger than the angle of incidence.

This relationship is important in understanding how light behaves when it passes from one medium to another, such as when light enters a glass prism or water. It also helps explain phenomena such as the bending of light rays in lenses and the formation of rainbows. Understanding Snell’s Law can help students grasp the concept of refraction and how light behaves in different mediums.

1. Definition:
   • The angle of incidence (�1θ1​) is the angle between the incident ray and the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface) at the point of incidence.
   • The angle of refraction (�2θ2​) is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal in the second medium.
2. Snell’s Law:
   • Snell’s Law states that the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence and refraction is equal to the ratio of the velocities (or indices of refraction) in the two media.
   • Mathematically, it can be expressed as: sin⁡�1sin⁡�2=�2�1sinθ2​sinθ1​​=n1​n2​​
   • Where �1n1​ and �2n2​ are the refractive indices of the two media.
3. Relation:
   • Snell’s Law shows that when light passes from one medium to another, the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is constant, provided the media remain the same.
   • This means that as the angle of incidence changes, the angle of refraction also changes accordingly to maintain the ratio defined by Snell’s Law.
4. Consequences:
   • If the refractive index of the second medium is lower than the first (i.e., light is passing from a denser to a rarer medium), the angle of refraction will be greater than the angle of incidence.
   • Conversely, if the refractive index of the second medium is higher than the first (i.e., light is passing from a rarer to a denser medium), the angle of refraction will be smaller than the angle of incidence.

In summary, Snell’s Law describes the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction when light passes from one medium to another. It provides a fundamental principle for understanding the behavior of light at the boundary between different materials.