Refraction from air into water (n = 1.333) at 45°

Answer: angle of refraction θ₂ = 32.037°.

What we know

  • Refractive index n₁ (incident): 1
  • Angle of incidence θ₁: 45°
  • Refractive index n₂ (refracting): 1.333

Step by step

Given
Refractive index n₁ (incident) = 1, Angle of incidence θ₁ = 45°, Refractive index n₂ (refracting) = 1.333
Formula
n₁ · sin(θ₁) = n₂ · sin(θ₂)
Result
Angle of refraction θ₂ = 32.037°

All results

Angle of refraction θ₂32.037°

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The physics

Snell's law describes how light bends when it crosses from one transparent material into another: the product of refractive index and the sine of the angle stays the same on both sides. Light entering a denser medium (higher index) bends toward the normal; entering a lighter one, it bends away.