Answer to Question #162584 in Optics for Yadris

Question

Calculate the polarizing angle for light traveling from water, of refractive index 1.33 to glass of refractive index 1.53

Answer 1

Given,

Refractive index of water $(\mu_w) = 1.33$

Refractive index of glass $(\mu_g) = 1.53$

We know that reflected light is always polarized, and it reflects at $90^\circ$

$\tan\theta = \frac{\mu_2}{\mu_1}$

Now substituting the values,

$\Rightarrow \tan\theta = \frac{1.53}{1.33}$

$\Rightarrow \tan\theta = 1.15$

$\theta = \tan^{-1}(1.15)$

$=48.99^\circ$