Advanced Light Refraction Simulation
Visualizing Snell's Law and Total Internal Reflection
Simulation Parameters
Visualization Options
Physics Explanation
This simulation demonstrates light refraction at the interface between water and air, governed by Snell's Law. When light travels from a medium with higher refractive index (water) to one with lower refractive index (air), it bends away from the normal. Beyond the critical angle (θc), light undergoes total internal reflection.
Key Formulas:
Snell's Law: n₁·sin(θ₁) = n₂·sin(θ₂)
Critical Angle: θ_c = arcsin(n₂/n₁) (where n₁ > n₂)
Radius of Circle: R = d·tan(θ_c) (d = water depth)
Critical Angle
48.75
degrees
Light Circle Radius
91.2
cm
Surface Area
2.61
m²
