A beam of light enters a prism with an angle of incidence of 45 degrees. If the
Practice Questions
Q1
A beam of light enters a prism with an angle of incidence of 45 degrees. If the refractive index of the prism is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction inside the prism?
30 degrees
45 degrees
60 degrees
75 degrees
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
A beam of light enters a prism with an angle of incidence of 45 degrees. If the refractive index of the prism is 1.5, what is the angle of refraction inside the prism?
Step 1: Identify the given values. The angle of incidence (θ1) is 45 degrees, the refractive index of air (n1) is 1, and the refractive index of the prism (n2) is 1.5.
Step 2: Write down Snell's law formula: n1 * sin(θ1) = n2 * sin(θ2).
Step 3: Substitute the known values into the formula: 1 * sin(45 degrees) = 1.5 * sin(θ2).
Step 4: Calculate sin(45 degrees). It is approximately 0.7071.
Step 5: Rewrite the equation: 0.7071 = 1.5 * sin(θ2).
Step 6: Solve for sin(θ2) by dividing both sides by 1.5: sin(θ2) = 0.7071 / 1.5.
Step 7: Calculate sin(θ2): sin(θ2) ≈ 0.4714.
Step 8: Find θ2 by taking the inverse sine (arcsin) of 0.4714: θ2 ≈ 30 degrees.
Refraction – The bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different refractive index.
Snell's Law – A formula used to describe the relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction when light passes between two different media.
Refractive Index – A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to its speed in a vacuum.
