how does the angle of refraction compare to the angle of incidence as a light ray passes from one medium into another with a lower index of refraction? what happens as the angle of incidence is increased?
-
Since the phase speed is greater in the second medium (v1 < v2), the angle of refraction θ2 is greater than the angle of incidence θ1; that is, the ray in the higher-index medium is closer to the normal. And its the opposite when the angle of incidence is increased, the angle in the second medium will be less than the first.
This pic may help:
http://i.imgur.com/Q2U9K.jpg
in this case the index n2 is greater than n1
This pic may help:
http://i.imgur.com/Q2U9K.jpg
in this case the index n2 is greater than n1