Refraction - Snell's Law

Refraction of light
by Rick Reed
For more topics - see subject index of interactive
diagrams.

Bending Light

If you have ever half-submerged a straight stick into water, you have probably noticed that
the stick appears bent at the point it enters the water (see Figure 1.) This optical effect is due
to refraction. As light passes from one transparent medium to another, it changes speed, and
bends. How much this happens depends on the refractive index of the mediums and the
angle between the light ray and the line perpendicular (normal) to the surface separating the
two mediums (medium/medium interface) (See Figures 2a and 2b.) Each medium has a
different refractive index (see list below.) The angle between the light ray and the normal as
it leaves a medium is called the angle of incidence. The angle between the light ray and the
normal as it enters a medium is called the angle of refraction.
Snell's Law

In 1621, a Dutch physicist named Willebrord Snell (1591-1626), derived the relationship
between the different angles of light as it passes from one transperent medium to another.
When light passes from one transparent medium to another, it bends according to Snell's law
which states:
Ni * Sin(Ai) = Nr * Sin(Ar),
where:
Ni is the refractive index of the medium the light is leaving,
Ai is the incident angle between the light ray and the normal to the meduim to medium
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Figure 1. Optical effect of refraction.

Refraction - Snell's Law

interface,
Nr is the refractive index of the medium the light is entering,
Ar is the refractive angle between the light ray and the normal to the meduim to medium
interface.

Figure 2a. Angles of Incidence and

Refraction (2D).

Figure 3. Refraction simulator

You can experiment with effects of different incident angles and refractive indices with
Figure 3. You can move the flashlight around, and change the refractive index of the top and
bottom mediums. You can use the buttons to quickly enter the index for a few common
mediums.

Critical Angle

Using the refraction simulator, notice how the light bends toward the normal when the light
enters a medium of greater refractive index, and away from the normal when entering a
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Refraction - Snell's Law

medium of lesser refractive index. Then notice what happens when you move the flashlight
to an angle close to 90 or -90 degrees in the medium with a higher refractive index. As you
approach the critical angle the refracted light approaches 90 or -90 degrees and, at the
critical angle, the angle of refractions becomes 90 or -90 and the light is no longer
transmitted across the medium/medium interface. For angles greater in absolute value than
the critical angle, all the light is reflected. This is called total internal reflection.
Related links

Click here to hear a song about refraction and Snell's Law by Marian McKenzie and Walter
Fox Smith as performed by Russ and Eli.
copyright 2009 Interactagram.com
interactagram.com - Physics - Optics - Refraction - Snell's Law
Source Flash: refraction.zip

Other Refraction Indices

Below are some other refractive indices to try. Are there any that have a smaller index than a
vacuum (1.0)?
Warning: These numbers were not derived by me, nore can I claim they are accurate. Please
use these values for demonstration purposes in the simulation only.
Sorted by medium:
Acetone
Actinolite
Agalmatoite
Agate
Agate, Moss
Air

1.36
1.618
1.550
1.544
1.540
1.0002926

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Figure 2b. Angles of Incidence and

Refraction (3D).

Refraction - Snell's Law

Alcohol
Alexandrite
Aluminum
Amber
Amblygonite
Amethyst
Anatase
Andalusite
Anhydrite
Apatite
Apophyllite
Aquamarine
Aragonite
Argon
Asphalt
Augelite
Axinite
Azurite
Barite
Barytocalcite
Benitoite
Benzene
Beryl
Beryllonite
Brazilianite
Bromine (liq)
Bronze
Brownite
Calcite
Calspar
Cancrinite
Carbon Dioxide (gas)
Carbon Disulfide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Cassiterite
Celestite
Cerussite

1.329
1.745
1.44
1.546
1.611
1.544
2.490
1.641
1.571
1.632
1.536
1.577
1.530
1.000281
1.635
1.574
1.675
1.730
1.636
1.684
1.757
1.501
1.577
1.553
1.603
1.661
1.18
1.567
1.486
1.486
1.491
1.000449
1.628
1.460
1.997
1.622
1.804

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Ceylanite
Chalcedony
Chalk
Chalybite
Chlorine (gas)
Chlorine (liq)
Chrome Green
Chrome Red
Chrome Yellow
Chromium
Chrysoberyl
Chrysocolla
Chrysoprase
Citrine
Clinozoisite
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt Green
Cobalt Violet
Colemanite
Copper
Copper Oxide
Coral
Cordierite
Corundum
Crocoite
Crystal
Cuprite
Danburite
Diamond
Diopside
Dolomite
Dumortierite
Ebonite
Ekanite
Elaeolite
Emerald
Emerald, Synth flux

1.770
1.530
1.510
1.630
1.000768
1.385
2.4
2.42
2.31
2.97
1.745
1.500
1.534
1.550
1.724
1.74
1.97
1.71
1.586
1.10
2.705
1.486
1.540
1.766
2.310
2.00
2.850
1.633
2.417
1.680
1.503
1.686
1.66
1.600
1.532
1.576
1.561

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Emerald, Synth hydro

Enstatite
Epidote
Ethanol
Ethyl Alcohol
Euclase
Fabulite
Feldspar, Adventurine
Feldspar, Albite
Feldspar, Amazonite
Feldspar, Labradorite
Feldspar, Microcline
Feldspar, Oligoclase
Feldspar, Orthoclase
Fluoride
Fluorite
Formica
Garnet, Almandine
Garnet, Almandite
Garnet, Andradite
Garnet, Demantoid
Garnet, Grossular
Garnet, Hessonite
Garnet, Rhodolite
Garnet, Spessartite
Gaylussite
Glass
Glass, Albite
Glass, Crown
Glass, Crown, Zinc
Glass, Flint, Dense
Glass, Flint, Heaviest
Glass, Flint, Heavy
Glass, Flint, Lanthanum
Glass, Flint, Light
Glass, Flint, Medium
Glycerine

1.568
1.663
1.733
1.36
1.36
1.652
2.409
1.532
1.525
1.525
1.565
1.525
1.539
1.525
1.56
1.434
1.47
1.760
1.790
1.820
1.880
1.738
1.745
1.760
1.810
1.517
1.51714
1.4890
1.520
1.517
1.66
1.89
1.65548
1.80
1.58038
1.62725
1.473

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Gold
Hambergite
Hauynite
Helium
Hematite
Hemimorphite
Hiddenite
Howlite
Hydrogen (gas)
Hydrogen (liq)
Hypersthene
Ice
Idocrase
Iodine Crystal
Iolite
Iron
Ivory
Jade, Nephrite
Jadeite
Jasper
Jet
Kornerupine
Kunzite
Kyanite
Lapis Gem
Lapis Lazuli
Lazulite
Lead
Leucite
Magnesite
Malachite
Meerschaum
Mercury (liq)
Methanol
Moldavite
Moonstone, Adularia
Moonstone, Albite

0.47
1.559
1.502
1.000036
2.940
1.614
1.655
1.586
1.000140
1.0974
1.670
1.309
1.713
3.34
1.548
1.51
1.540
1.610
1.665
1.540
1.660
1.665
1.655
1.715
1.500
1.61
1.615
2.01
1.509
1.515
1.655
1.530
1.62
1.329
1.500
1.525
1.535

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Natrolite
Nephrite
Nitrogen (gas)
Nitrogen (liq)
Nylon
Obsidian
Olivine
Onyx
Opal
Oxygen (gas)
Oxygen (liq)
Painite
Pearl
Periclase
Peridot
Peristerite
Petalite
Phenakite
Phosgenite
Plastic
Plexiglas
Polystyrene
Prase
Prasiolite
Prehnite
Proustite
Purpurite
Pyrite
Pyrope
Quartz
Quartz, Fused
Rhodizite
Rhodochrisite
Rhodonite
Rock Salt
Rubber, Natural
Ruby

1.480
1.600
1.000297
1.2053
1.53
1.489
1.670
1.486
1.450
1.000276
1.221
1.787
1.530
1.740
1.654
1.525
1.502
1.650
2.117
1.460
1.50
1.55
1.540
1.540
1.610
2.790
1.840
1.810
1.740
1.544
1.45843
1.690
1.600
1.735
1.544
1.5191
1.760

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Rutile
Sanidine
Sapphire
Scapolite
Scapolite, Yellow
Scheelite
Selenium, Amorphous
Serpentine
Shell
Silicon
Sillimanite
Silver
Sinhalite
Smaragdite
Smithsonite
Sodalite
Sodium Chloride
Sphalerite
Sphene
Spinel
Spodumene
Staurolite
Steatite
Steel
Stichtite
Strontium Titanate
Styrofoam
Sulphur
Synthetic Spinel
Taaffeite
Tantalite
Tanzanite
Teflon
Thomsonite
Tiger eye
Topaz
Topaz, Blue

2.62
1.522
1.760
1.540
1.555
1.920
2.92
1.560
1.530
4.24
1.658
0.18
1.699
1.608
1.621
1.483
1.544
2.368
1.885
1.712
1.650
1.739
1.539
2.50
1.520
2.410
1.595
1.960
1.730
1.720
2.240
1.691
1.35
1.530
1.544
1.620
1.610

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Topaz, Pink
Topaz, White
Topaz, Yellow
Tourmaline
Tremolite
Tugtupite
Turpentine
Turquoise
Ulexite
Uvarovite
Variscite
Vivianite
Wardite
Water (gas)
Water 100'C
Water 20'C
Water 35'C (Room
temp)
Willemite
Witherite
Wulfenite
Zincite
Zircon, High
Zircon, Low
Zirconia, Cubic

1.620
1.630
1.620
1.624
1.600
1.496
1.472
1.610
1.490
1.870
1.550
1.580
1.590
1.000261
1.31819
1.33335
1.33157
1.690
1.532
2.300
2.010
1.960
1.800
2.170

Sorted by refractive index:

Silver
Gold
Helium
Hydrogen (gas)
Water (gas)
Oxygen (gas)
Argon
Air
Nitrogen (gas)

0.18
0.47
1.000036
1.00014
1.000261
1.000276
1.000281
1.0002926
1.000297

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Carbon Dioxide (gas)

1.000449
Chlorine (gas)
1.000768
Hydrogen (liq)
1.0974
Copper
1.1
Bronze
1.18
Nitrogen (liq)
1.2053
Oxygen (liq)
1.221
Ice
1.309
Water 100'C
1.31819
Alcohol
1.329
Methanol
1.329
Water 35'C (Room temp) 1.33157
Water 20'C
1.33335
Teflon
1.35
Acetone
1.36
Ethanol
1.36
Ethyl Alcohol
1.36
Chlorine (liq)
1.385
Fluorite
1.434
Aluminum
1.44
Opal
1.45
Quartz, Fused
1.45843
Carbon Tetrachloride
1.46
Plastic
1.46
Formica
1.47
Turpentine
1.472
Glycerine
1.473
Natrolite
1.48
Sodalite
1.483
Calcite
1.486
Calspar
1.486
Coral
1.486
Onyx
1.486
Glass, Albite
1.489
Obsidian
1.489
Ulexite
1.49
Cancrinite
1.491
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Refraction - Snell's Law

Tugtupite
Chrysocolla
Lapis Gem
Moldavite
Plexiglas
Benzene
Hauynite
Petalite
Dolomite
Leucite
Chalk
Iron
Magnesite
Gaylussite
Glass, Crown, Zinc
Glass
Rubber, Natural
Glass, Crown
Stichtite
Sanidine
Feldspar, Albite
Feldspar, Amazonite
Feldspar, Microcline
Feldspar, Orthoclase
Moonstone, Adularia
Peristerite
Aragonite
Chalcedony
Meerschaum
Nylon
Pearl
Shell
Thomsonite
Elaeolite
Feldspar, Adventurine
Witherite
Chrysoprase

1.496
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.501
1.502
1.502
1.503
1.509
1.51
1.51
1.515
1.517
1.517
1.51714
1.5191
1.52
1.52
1.522
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.532
1.532
1.532
1.534

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Moonstone, Albite
Apophyllite
Feldspar, Oligoclase
Steatite
Agate, Moss
Cordierite
Ivory
Jasper
Prase
Prasiolite
Scapolite
Agate
Amethyst
Quartz
Rock Salt
Sodium Chloride
Tiger eye
Amber
Iolite
Agalmatoite
Citrine
Polystyrene
Variscite
Beryllonite
Scapolite, Yellow
Hambergite
Fluoride
Serpentine
Emerald, Synth flux
Feldspar, Labradorite
Brownite
Emerald, Synth hydro
Anhydrite
Augelite
Emerald
Aquamarine
Beryl

1.535
1.536
1.539
1.539
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.546
1.548
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.553
1.555
1.559
1.56
1.56
1.561
1.565
1.567
1.568
1.571
1.574
1.576
1.577
1.577

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Vivianite
Glass, Flint, Light
Colemanite
Howlite
Wardite
Styrofoam
Ekanite
Nephrite
Rhodochrisite
Tremolite
Brazilianite
Smaragdite
Jade, Nephrite
Lapis Lazuli
Prehnite
Topaz, Blue
Turquoise
Amblygonite
Hemimorphite
Lazulite
Actinolite
Mercury (liq)
Topaz
Topaz, Pink
Topaz, Yellow
Smithsonite
Celestite
Tourmaline
Glass, Flint, Medium
Carbon Disulfide
Chalybite
Topaz, White
Apatite
Danburite
Asphalt
Barite
Andalusite

1.58
1.58038
1.586
1.586
1.59
1.595
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.603
1.608
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.611
1.614
1.615
1.618
1.62
1.62
1.62
1.62
1.621
1.622
1.624
1.62725
1.628
1.63
1.63
1.632
1.633
1.635
1.636
1.641

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Phenakite
Spodumene
Euclase
Peridot
Hiddenite
Kunzite
Malachite
Glass, Flint, Heavy
Sillimanite
Ebonite
Glass, Flint, Dense
Jet
Bromine (liq)
Enstatite
Jadeite
Kornerupine
Hypersthene
Olivine
Axinite
Diopside
Barytocalcite
Dumortierite
Rhodizite
Willemite
Tanzanite
Sinhalite
Cobalt Violet
Spinel
Idocrase
Kyanite
Taaffeite
Clinozoisite
Azurite
Synthetic Spinel
Epidote
Rhodonite
Silver

1.65
1.65
1.652
1.654
1.655
1.655
1.655
1.65548
1.658
1.66
1.66
1.66
1.661
1.663
1.665
1.665
1.67
1.67
1.675
1.68
1.684
1.686
1.69
1.69
1.691
1.699
1.71
1.712
1.713
1.715
1.72
1.724
1.73
1.73
1.733
1.735
0.18

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Gold
0.47
Helium
1.000036
Hydrogen (gas)
1.00014
Water (gas)
1.000261
Oxygen (gas)
1.000276
Argon
1.000281
Air
1.0002926
Nitrogen (gas)
1.000297
Carbon Dioxide (gas)
1.000449
Chlorine (gas)
1.000768
Hydrogen (liq)
1.0974
Copper
1.1
Bronze
1.18
Nitrogen (liq)
1.2053
Oxygen (liq)
1.221
Ice
1.309
Water 100'C
1.31819
Alcohol
1.329
Methanol
1.329
Water 35'C (Room temp) 1.33157
Water 20'C
1.33335
Teflon
1.35
Acetone
1.36
Ethanol
1.36
Ethyl Alcohol
1.36
Chlorine (liq)
1.385
Fluorite
1.434
Aluminum
1.44
Opal
1.45
Quartz, Fused
1.45843
Carbon Tetrachloride
1.46
Plastic
1.46
Formica
1.47
Turpentine
1.472
Glycerine
1.473
Natrolite
1.48
Sodalite
1.483
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Refraction - Snell's Law

Calcite
Calspar
Coral
Onyx
Glass, Albite
Obsidian
Ulexite
Cancrinite
Tugtupite
Chrysocolla
Lapis Gem
Moldavite
Plexiglas
Benzene
Hauynite
Petalite
Dolomite
Leucite
Chalk
Iron
Magnesite
Gaylussite
Glass, Crown, Zinc
Glass
Rubber, Natural
Glass, Crown
Stichtite
Sanidine
Feldspar, Albite
Feldspar, Amazonite
Feldspar, Microcline
Feldspar, Orthoclase
Moonstone, Adularia
Peristerite
Aragonite
Chalcedony
Meerschaum

1.486
1.486
1.486
1.486
1.489
1.489
1.49
1.491
1.496
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.5
1.501
1.502
1.502
1.503
1.509
1.51
1.51
1.515
1.517
1.517
1.51714
1.5191
1.52
1.52
1.522
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.525
1.53
1.53
1.53

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Nylon
Pearl
Shell
Thomsonite
Elaeolite
Feldspar, Adventurine
Witherite
Chrysoprase
Moonstone, Albite
Apophyllite
Feldspar, Oligoclase
Steatite
Agate, Moss
Cordierite
Ivory
Jasper
Prase
Prasiolite
Scapolite
Agate
Amethyst
Quartz
Rock Salt
Sodium Chloride
Tiger eye
Amber
Iolite
Agalmatoite
Citrine
Polystyrene
Variscite
Beryllonite
Scapolite, Yellow
Hambergite
Fluoride
Serpentine
Emerald, Synth flux

1.53
1.53
1.53
1.53
1.532
1.532
1.532
1.534
1.535
1.536
1.539
1.539
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.54
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.544
1.546
1.548
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.55
1.553
1.555
1.559
1.56
1.56
1.561

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Feldspar, Labradorite
Brownite
Emerald, Synth hydro
Anhydrite
Augelite
Emerald
Aquamarine
Beryl
Vivianite
Glass, Flint, Light
Colemanite
Howlite
Wardite
Styrofoam
Ekanite
Nephrite
Rhodochrisite
Tremolite
Brazilianite
Smaragdite
Jade, Nephrite
Lapis Lazuli
Prehnite
Topaz, Blue
Turquoise
Amblygonite
Hemimorphite
Lazulite
Actinolite
Mercury (liq)
Topaz
Topaz, Pink
Topaz, Yellow
Smithsonite
Celestite
Tourmaline
Glass, Flint, Medium

1.565
1.567
1.568
1.571
1.574
1.576
1.577
1.577
1.58
1.58038
1.586
1.586
1.59
1.595
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.6
1.603
1.608
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.61
1.611
1.614
1.615
1.618
1.62
1.62
1.62
1.62
1.621
1.622
1.624
1.62725

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Carbon Disulfide
Chalybite
Topaz, White
Apatite
Danburite
Asphalt
Barite
Andalusite
Phenakite
Spodumene
Euclase
Peridot
Hiddenite
Kunzite
Malachite
Glass, Flint, Heavy
Sillimanite
Ebonite
Glass, Flint, Dense
Jet
Bromine (liq)
Enstatite
Jadeite
Kornerupine
Hypersthene
Olivine
Axinite
Diopside
Barytocalcite
Dumortierite
Rhodizite
Willemite
Tanzanite
Sinhalite
Cobalt Violet
Spinel
Idocrase

1.628
1.63
1.63
1.632
1.633
1.635
1.636
1.641
1.65
1.65
1.652
1.654
1.655
1.655
1.655
1.65548
1.658
1.66
1.66
1.66
1.661
1.663
1.665
1.665
1.67
1.67
1.675
1.68
1.684
1.686
1.69
1.69
1.691
1.699
1.71
1.712
1.713

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Refraction - Snell's Law

Kyanite
Taaffeite
Clinozoisite
Azurite
Synthetic Spinel
Epidote
Rhodonite
Garnet, Grossular
Staurolite
Cobalt Blue
Periclase
Pyrope
Alexandrite
Chrysoberyl
Garnet, Hessonite
Benitoite
Garnet, Almandine
Garnet, Rhodolite
Ruby
Sapphire
Corundum
Ceylanite
Painite
Garnet, Almandite
Glass, Flint, Lanthanum
Zircon, Low
Cerussite
Garnet, Spessartite
Pyrite
Garnet, Andradite
Purpurite
Uvarovite
Garnet, Demantoid
Sphene
Glass, Flint, Heaviest
Scheelite
Sulphur

1.715
1.72
1.724
1.73
1.73
1.733
1.735
1.738
1.739
1.74
1.74
1.74
1.745
1.745
1.745
1.757
1.76
1.76
1.76
1.76
1.766
1.77
1.787
1.79
1.8
1.8
1.804
1.81
1.81
1.82
1.84
1.87
1.88
1.885
1.89
1.92
1.96

http://interactagram.com/physics/optics/refraction/ (21 of 22)03/02/2011 15:23:10

Refraction - Snell's Law

Zircon, High
Cobalt Green
Cassiterite
Crystal
Lead
Zincite
Phosgenite
Zirconia, Cubic
Tantalite
Wulfenite
Chrome Yellow
Crocoite
Sphalerite
Chrome Green
Fabulite
Strontium Titanate
Diamond
Chrome Red
Anatase
Steel
Rutile
Copper Oxide
Proustite
Cuprite
Selenium, Amorphous
Hematite
Chromium
Iodine Crystal
Silicon

1.96
1.97
1.997
2
2.01
2.01
2.117
2.17
2.24
2.3
2.31
2.31
2.368
2.4
2.409
2.41
2.417
2.42
2.49
2.5
2.62
2.705
2.79
2.85
2.92
2.94
2.97
3.34
4.24

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http://interactagram.com/physics/optics/refraction/ (22 of 22)03/02/2011 15:23:10