Example 1
From air (n₁ = 1.00) into glass (n₂ = 1.50) at 30°, the refracted angle is about 19.5°.
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Physics tools › Snell’s law calculator
Mendeleev · Physics
Snell’s law calculator
Snell’s law relates the direction of a light ray before and after crossing the boundary between two transparent media.
Formula usedn₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂
Visual cue · light ray
Calculate
Snell’s law calculator
What do the symbols mean?
n₁first refractive index
θ₁incident angle
n₂second refractive index
θ₂refracted angle
Two worked examples
Example 2
From water n = 1.33 into air at 30°, the refracted ray bends away from the normal to about 41.7°.
Good to knowAngles are measured from the normal to the interface. Some combinations lead to total internal reflection instead of a refracted ray.