MathLiveSnell's law
Relates the angles of incidence and refraction of light passing between two media to their refractive indices, wave speeds, or wavelengths. It is used to predict how a light ray bends at the boundary between two materials.
\frac{\sin\theta_1}{\sin\theta_2} = \frac{v_1}{v_2} = \frac{\lambda_1}{\lambda_2} = \frac{n_2}{n_1}What the symbols mean
| angle of incidence, measured from the normal, in the first medium | |
| angle of refraction, measured from the normal, in the second medium | |
| wave speed in the first medium (m/s) | |
| wave speed in the second medium (m/s) | |
| wavelength in the first medium (m) | |
| wavelength in the second medium (m) | |
| refractive index of the first medium | |
| refractive index of the second medium |
About this formula
- FieldPhysics
- TopicOptics
- LevelHigh school
- Also calledSnell-Descartes law, law of refraction, angle of refraction formula, refraction of light law, Snell's law of refraction, sin theta over sin theta refraction
- SourceWikidata Q208391
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