Question

State an application of Snell's law

Answer 1

In optics, the law is used in ray tracing to compute the angles of incidence or refraction, and in experimental optics to find the refractive index of a material. The law is also satisfied in metamaterials, which allow light to be bent "backward" at a negative angle of refraction with a negative refractive index.

Answer 2

Snell's Law can be applied to all materials, in all phases of matter. Most people are familiar with Snell's Law because of the apparent shortening of their legs that is observed when standing in water. Another commonly recognized example of refraction in a material is diamonds. The many facets of the cut diamond combined with a high index of refraction give diamonds the brilliance that they are known for. Snell's Law is especially important for optical devices, such as fiber optics. Snell's Law states that the ratio of the sine of the angles of incidence and transmission is equal to the ratio of the refractive index of the materials at the interface.