A laser beam is pointed so that it passes through side A of the triangular glass (n = 1.5) prism shown below at an angle of incidence of 0o. The ray then strikes the far side of the prism (the hypotenuse). This experiment is conducted first when the prism is surrounded by air (n = 1) and then when the prism is surrounded by water (n = 1.33). Determine whether the light from the laser will pass through the hypotenuse of the prism when (a) the prism is in air and (b) the prism is in water. If it will, determine the angle of refraction in each medium.
Refraction of Light
Refraction is a change in the direction of light rays when they travel from one medium to another. It is the bending of light when it goes through different media.
Angle of Refraction
Light is considered by many scientists to have dual nature, both particle nature and wave nature. First, Particle nature is one in which we consider a stream of packets of energy called photons. Second, Wave nature is considering light as electromagnetic radiation whereas part of it is perceived by humans. Visible spectrum defined by humans lies in a range of 400 to 700 nm wavelengths.
Index of Refraction of Diamond
Diamond, the world’s hardest naturally occurring material and mineral known, is a solid form of the element carbon. The atoms are arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. They exist in a huge variety of colours. Also, they are one of the best conductors of heat and have a very high melting point.
A laser beam is pointed so that it passes through side A of the triangular glass (n = 1.5) prism shown below at an angle of incidence of 0o. The ray then strikes the far side of the prism (the hypotenuse). This experiment is
Determine whether the light from the laser will pass through the hypotenuse of the prism when (a) the prism is in air and (b) the prism is in water. If it will, determine the angle of refraction in each medium.
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