Question

Visible light strikes the surface of benzene at a $\mathbf{45}\mathbf{°}$ angle. At what angle does the light ray pass through the benzene?

Short answer

The angle of light ray passed through the benzene is ${\theta }_2={30}^{°}$.

Step-by-step solution

Concept used.

Snell’s law: When light passes through one medium and returns through another, the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection when the light is reflected.

The angle by which the light ray pass through the benzene.

The refractive index of water (Medium 1) is$\left(n_1\right)$

The refractive index of benzene (Medium 2) is$\left(n_2\right)$

According to Snell's law

$$\begin{gathered} n_1\sin {\theta }_1=n_2\sin {\theta }_2 \\ \left(1\right)\left(\sin 45°\right)=\left(1.5\right)\left(\sin {\theta }_2\right) \\ \sin {\theta }_2=\frac{\left(1\right)\left(\sin 45°\right)}{\left(1.5\right)} \\ {\theta }_2=30° \end{gathered}$$

The angle${\mathrm{\theta }}_2\mathrm{is}30°$.