question about refractive indexes and the angles produced (from a AAMCS practice question)

[mrh125]

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For this diagram its going from a refractive index angle of 1.0 to 1.5 and the wave is a light wave. if it was going from n=1.5 to 1.0 would the angle produced be larger. Also, if it was going to from n=1 to 1.5 and the wave was sound wave would the angle be larger? im just trying to clear this up. i think my thought process is right, but im not sure.

 

[brood910]

So, as you move from the side with lower n to the one with higher n, the angle will decrease, with respect to the normal.

 

[phattestlewt]

The rule of thumb is that angle of reflection equals the angle of incidence.

And for mediums with with an n greater than that which the light is initially coming from (e.g. air to water), the refractive angle will be less than the incident angle because light bends more in mediums with higher n.