1. What is the Angle of Refraction?

The angle of refraction describes how a wave changes direction when it passes from one medium to another with different propagation velocities. This phenomenon is governed by Snell's Law and is fundamental in optics, seismology, and other wave propagation studies.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the refraction equation:

Where:

• \( r \) — Angle of refraction (degrees)
• \( v1 \) — Velocity in first medium (m/s)
• \( v2 \) — Velocity in second medium (m/s)
• \( i \) — Angle of incidence (degrees)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much a wave will bend when transitioning between media with different velocities.

3. Importance of Refraction Calculation

Details: Understanding refraction is crucial for lens design, fiber optics, earthquake analysis, and many other applications where wave propagation is important.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter velocities in m/s and incidence angle in degrees (0-90). All values must be positive, and v2 cannot be zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when v1 > v2?
A: When the wave enters a slower medium (v1 > v2), it bends toward the normal. The refraction angle will be smaller than the incidence angle.

Q2: What is the critical angle?
A: When v1 > v2, there's an incidence angle beyond which total internal reflection occurs. This is called the critical angle.

Q3: How does this relate to Snell's Law?
A: This is a velocity-based version of Snell's Law, which is typically expressed using refractive indices (n1/n2 = sin(r)/sin(i) = v2/v1).

Q4: What units should I use?
A: The calculator expects velocities in meters per second (m/s) and angles in degrees. Ensure consistent units.

Q5: What if I get an error?
A: Check that (v1/v2)*sin(i) is between -1 and 1. If not, total internal reflection occurs and refraction is not possible.