Refraction and Snell's Law Quiz

What is the primary factor that determines how much light bends when it passes from one medium to another?

• The temperature of the media

• The indices of refraction of the two media

• The speed of light in the first medium

• The color of the light

Which of the following equations represents Snell's Law?

• n1 - n2 = sin(theta1) - sin(theta2)

• n1 + n2 = sin(theta1) + sin(theta2)

• n1 * n2 = sin(theta1) * sin(theta2)

• n1 / n2 = sin(theta2) / sin(theta1)

If light travels from air (n=1) to water (n=1.33) at an angle of incidence of 80 degrees, what is the angle of refraction?

• 60.0 degrees

• 70.0 degrees

• 48.6 degrees

• 30.0 degrees

What happens to light when it hits a medium at an angle greater than the critical angle?

• It splits into multiple beams

• It gets absorbed by the medium

• It reflects back into the original medium

• It refracts into the new medium

Which of the following is NOT a condition for total internal reflection?

• Light must travel from a denser to a less dense medium

• The angle of incidence must be greater than the critical angle

• The light must be monochromatic

• The refractive index of the first medium must be greater than the second

What is the critical angle for light traveling from glass (n=1.52) to air?

• 41.1 degrees

• 48.6 degrees

• 60.0 degrees

• 30.0 degrees

What phenomenon allows a fish to see a circle of sky when looking up from underwater?

• Refraction

• Total internal reflection

• Snell's Circle

• Diffraction

How do fiber optic cables utilize the concept of total internal reflection?

• By absorbing light to prevent data loss

• By reflecting light off the surface of the cable

• By trapping light within the cable to transmit data

• By allowing light to escape at certain points

In a sample IB question, which diagram correctly shows the path of light from air to diamond?

• A diagram with total internal reflection

• A diagram with no bending

• A diagram with light bending towards the normal

• A diagram with light bending away from the normal

What is the main advantage of using fiber optic cables over traditional electrical cables?

• They transmit data faster

• They are cheaper to produce

• They are more flexible

• They are easier to install