Question

A block of amber is placed in water and a laser beam travels from the water through the amber. The angle of incidence is 35 degrees while the angle of refraction is 24 degrees. What is the index of refraction of amber?
(index of refraction of water is 1.33)

Answer 1

Answer: 1.88

Explanation

Applying Snell’s Law, sin(1)/sin(2) = n(2)/n(1), where n is the index of refraction and sin 1 and 2 being of incidence and refracted respectively.

1) sin35/sin24 = n(2)/1.33
2) 1.41 = n(2)/1.33
3) n(2) = 1.41 x 1.33
4) n(2) = 1.88

Hope this helps :)