PHYSICS / GEOMETRIC OPTICS
Calculate the ideal polarizing incidence angle between two dielectric media.
METHOD / WORKED EXAMPLE
Calculate the ideal polarizing incidence angle between two dielectric media. Inputs remain visible so the physical model and units can be checked instead of treated as a black box.
WORKED DEFAULT
For air n₁ = 1.00 and glass n₂ = 1.50, the Brewster angle is about 56.31°.
READ THE RESULT
At this ideal incidence angle, reflected p-polarized intensity reaches zero in the simple Fresnel model.
ASSUMPTIONS AND LIMITS
Media are isotropic, non-magnetic, lossless dielectrics with indices specified at the same wavelength.
Use internally consistent units and retain extra precision when carrying the result into another calculation.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Evaluate the arctangent-equivalent inverse-sine expression from the transmitted-to-incident index ratio. The result is not the critical angle and does not require n₁ greater than n₂. The calculator evaluates only the stated idealized equation and supplied values. It does not infer missing conditions, choose an experimental convention, or certify a measurement. Keep every quantity in the displayed unit and verify the model against the physical setup before relying on the result.
At this ideal incidence angle, reflected p-polarized intensity reaches zero in the simple Fresnel model. Real coatings, absorption, roughness, and dispersion prevent perfect extinction. Numerical precision does not imply experimental accuracy. Compare the output with scale, sign, limiting cases, and an independent source, then account for uncertainty in measured inputs and constants before using it in laboratory, engineering, or safety-sensitive work.
Media are isotropic, non-magnetic, lossless dielectrics with indices specified at the same wavelength. It excludes complex index, anisotropy, magnetic response, multilayers, and finite beam geometry. The result is educational and is not a simulation, calibration, engineering approval, or safety determination. More complete models may require geometry, material response, boundary conditions, relativistic frames, dispersion, losses, uncertainty propagation, or numerical field solutions not represented by these inputs.
RELATED TOOLS
Use boundary
Evaluate the arctangent-equivalent inverse-sine expression from the transmitted-to-incident index ratio. The page evaluates the displayed equation from your supplied values and presents both symbolic and substituted KaTeX working so the arithmetic can be checked.
θ_B = arctan(n_2/n_1).