Question

Define Snell's law of refraction.

Answer 1

1. Snell's law of refraction states that ‘the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is constant for the given pair of media.

$\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}=cons\tan t={n_{21}}_{}$Where i is the angle of incidence r is the angle of refraction.

2. The constant $n_{21}$ is the optical property of the medium called refractive index of the medium 2 w.r.t medium 1.

3. If the first medium is air then, $n_{21}$ is called absolute refractive index or simply refractive index and is denoted by $n$.