Universe: Stars And Galaxies
Universe: Stars And Galaxies
6th Edition
ISBN: 9781319115098
Author: Roger Freedman, Robert Geller, William J. Kaufmann
Publisher: W. H. Freeman
bartleby

Concept explainers

Question
Book Icon
Chapter 6, Problem 1Q
To determine

The phenomenon of refraction and reflection.

The way in which these processes enable astronomers to build telescopes.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark

Answer to Problem 1Q

Refraction: The bending of light rays when they pass from one transparent medium to another is known as refraction of light.

Reflection: when light rays return to the same medium from where it comes, it is known as reflection of light.

Astronomers use the principle of reflection and refraction to form telescope, as using the convex lens, the light rays coming from a distant object appears bright and larger at the focus point of the lens.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Telescopes works on the principle of reflection and refraction of light rays.

Refraction is the change in direction of a light ray when it passes from one transparent medium such as water or glass to another. Refraction occurs due to change in medium of light, which changes the speed of light and light rays tend to bend in denser medium.

Reflection is the process of returning of light to the same medium from which it originated.

Astronomers observed that the convex lens converges the light coming from a distant object to the focal point of the lens. Similarly, concave mirror causes parallel light rays to converge to the focus of the mirror. By using another mirror, these focused rays of light are reflected towards the eye piece.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Statistical thermodynamics. The number of imaginary replicas of a system of N particlesa) cannot be greater than Avogadro's numberb) must always be greater than Avogadro's number.c) has no relation to Avogadro's number.
Lab-Based Section Use the following information to answer the lab based scenario. A student performed an experiment in an attempt to determine the index of refraction of glass. The student used a laser and a protractor to measure a variety of angles of incidence and refraction through a semi-circular glass prism. The design of the experiment and the student's results are shown below. Angle of Incidence (°) Angle of Refraction (º) 20 11 30 19 40 26 50 31 60 36 70 38 2a) By hand (i.e., without using computer software), create a linear graph on graph paper using the student's data. Note: You will have to manipulate the data in order to achieve a linear function. 2b) Graphically determine the index of refraction of the semi-circular glass prism, rounding your answer to the nearest hundredth.
Use the following information to answer the next two questions. A laser is directed at a prism made of zircon (n = 1.92) at an incident angle of 35.0°, as shown in the diagram. 3a) Determine the critical angle of zircon. 35.0° 70° 55 55° 3b) Determine the angle of refraction when the laser beam leaves the prism.
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Physics
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, physics and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Foundations of Astronomy (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399920
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Stars and Galaxies (MindTap Course List)
Physics
ISBN:9781337399944
Author:Michael A. Seeds
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
The Solar System
Physics
ISBN:9781337672252
Author:The Solar System
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Astronomy
Physics
ISBN:9781938168284
Author:Andrew Fraknoi; David Morrison; Sidney C. Wolff
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
The Solar System
Physics
ISBN:9781305804562
Author:Seeds
Publisher:Cengage
Text book image
Horizons: Exploring the Universe (MindTap Course ...
Physics
ISBN:9781305960961
Author:Michael A. Seeds, Dana Backman
Publisher:Cengage Learning