A Level Physics Practice Exam

What is the equation that describes a wave passing between two materials?

1. n1 * sinANGLE1 = n2 * sinANGLE2

2. n1 * sinANGLEc = n2 * sin90

3. n1 + n2 = sinANGLE1 + sinANGLE2

4. n1 / n2 = sinANGLE1 / sinANGLE2

The correct answer is: n1 * sinANGLE1 = n2 * sinANGLE2

The equation that describes a wave passing between two materials is known as Snell's Law, which states that the ratio of the sines of the angles of incidence and refraction is equivalent to the ratio of the refractive indices of the two materials. This relationship can be represented as: n1 * sin(ANGLE1) = n2 * sin(ANGLE2). In this equation, n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the first and second materials, respectively, and ANGLE1 and ANGLE2 are the angles of incidence and refraction relative to the normal of the boundary between the materials. This equation is vital in optics, as it governs how light bends when transitioning from one medium to another, demonstrating concepts of refraction and how different materials affect the speed of light. The other options do not accurately reflect the relationship described by Snell's Law. For example, the equation in the second option incorrectly suggests a relationship involving the critical angle and does not correctly represent the refraction format. The third option implies a summative approach that does not have a basis in the principles of wave behavior at boundaries, and the last option misrepresents the relationships by separating the ratios rather than presenting the multiplicative form required by Snell