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Critical Thinking Exercises: Snell's Law

1. Analyze the refraction of light by considering its source: the slowing down of light as it enters a denser medium.
(a) Answer the question in the animation below.

<img src="7.jpg" width=512 height=384 border=0>

 
 
(b)
Will the angle 2 measured in the water be greater than or smaller than the angle 1 measured in air?
(c)
Will a denser medium have a larger or a smaller index of refraction than a rarer medium?
(d)
How will the light bend if it enters the water parallel to the normal, as shown here?
2.
How do these physical observations compare with mathematical conclusions drawn from Snell's Law?

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