Angle of Incidence Calculator

How to Use the Calculator

1. Enter the wavelength of the wave (λ) in nanometers (nm).
2. Enter the refractive index of the medium through which the wave is traveling (n).
3. Enter the angle of refraction (θ₂) in degrees.
4. Click the "Calculate" button to compute the angle of incidence (θ₁).
5. The result will be displayed in the "Angle of Incidence (θ₁)" field.

Understanding the Angle of Incidence

The angle of incidence is the angle between the incoming ray and the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface) at the point of incidence. It is a fundamental concept in wave physics, particularly in optics, where it helps determine how light bends when passing from one medium to another.

Snell's Law

The calculator uses Snell's Law, which states that the ratio of the sines of the angle of incidence and angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the refractive indices of the two media:

sin(θ₁) = n₂/n₁ * sin(θ₂)

Where:
θ₁ = Angle of Incidence
n₁ = Refractive Index of Medium 1 (initial medium)
n₂ = Refractive Index of Medium 2 (final medium)
θ₂ = Angle of Refraction

Applications

The Angle of Incidence Calculator is useful in various fields including:

• Optics and photonics
• Physics education
• Engineering design (e.g., lens design, fiber optics)
• Environmental science (e.g., light pollution studies)