Question

use the accompanying diagram to answer the following question. if medium 1 is glass, could medium 2 be zircon? explain your answer with reference to index of refraction. index of refraction for glass is 1.52 for zircon is 1.92

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Snell's Law

Snell's Law is \(n_1\sin\theta_1 = n_2\sin\theta_2\). When light moves from a medium with a lower refractive index (\(n_1\)) to a medium with a higher refractive index (\(n_2\)) (\(n_2>n_1\)), it bends towards the normal. When light moves from a medium with a higher refractive index (\(n_1\)) to a medium with a lower refractive index (\(n_2\)) (\(n_2 < n_1\)), it bends away from the normal.

Step2: Analyze the diagram and refractive indices

The refractive index of glass (\(n_{glass}=1.52\)) and zircon (\(n_{zircon} = 1.92\)). In the diagram, the light ray bends away from the normal when going from medium 1 to medium 2. This implies \(n_1>n_2\). But since \(n_{zircon}>n_{glass}\) (because \(1.92>1.52\)), if medium 1 was glass and medium 2 was zircon (\(n_2>n_1\)), the light should bend towards the normal. So medium 2 cannot be zircon.

Answer:

No, medium 2 cannot be zircon.