A tall cup is partially filled with water (n=1.33) to a height of 8.0 cm (Hwater). The diameter (D) of the cup is 14.64 cm. A student looks downward just over the left rim of the cup at an angle of 40.5 degrees with the water's surface (theta). At this angle, the refraction of light at the water's surface just barely allows her to see the bottom-right corner of the cup. A sketch (not drawn to scale) of the path of light is shown in the Figure below. Determine the height of the cup (Hcup) in metres.
Refraction of Light
Refraction is a change in the direction of light rays when they travel from one medium to another. It is the bending of light when it goes through different media.
Angle of Refraction
Light is considered by many scientists to have dual nature, both particle nature and wave nature. First, Particle nature is one in which we consider a stream of packets of energy called photons. Second, Wave nature is considering light as electromagnetic radiation whereas part of it is perceived by humans. Visible spectrum defined by humans lies in a range of 400 to 700 nm wavelengths.
Index of Refraction of Diamond
Diamond, the world’s hardest naturally occurring material and mineral known, is a solid form of the element carbon. The atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. They exist in a huge variety of colours. Also, they are one of the best conductors of heat and have a very high melting point.
A tall cup is partially filled with water (n=1.33) to a height of 8.0 cm (Hwater). The diameter (D) of the cup is 14.64 cm. A student looks downward just over the left rim of the cup at an angle of 40.5 degrees with the water's surface (theta). At this angle, the refraction of light at the water's surface just barely allows her to see the bottom-right corner of the cup. A sketch (not drawn to scale) of the path of light is shown in the Figure below. Determine the height of the cup (Hcup) in metres.
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