View Full Version : Prism refracting problem help please.
A prism shown i has a refractive index of n, and the angles A are theta. Two light rays m and n are parallel as they enter the prism.
What is the angle between them after they emerge?(In radians)
dextercioby
Feb14-05, 11:49 PM
What did you do/try to do...?
Daniel.
I assume you use n_1*sin(theta)=n_2*sin(theta_2).
And since its 90 degrees, it would just be equal to 1, so I get 1=n_2*sin(theta_2) but im afraid that im assuming too much. Then you do it again for the light going out of the prism.
dextercioby
Feb14-05, 11:53 PM
Because of the normal incidence,the rays enter the prism nondeviated...You must apply Snell'-Descartes law for the outgoing...
Daniel.
I get angle(rads.)= arcsin(n*sin(theta))
no, thats answer is wrong, any help?
dextercioby
Feb15-05, 12:17 AM
I'm really sorry,i cannot give you any more details,because it's basically a geometry problem.The incident angle is "\theta" for both rays...Compute the reflection angle,which is indeed "\arcsin (n\sin\theta)" and then use the symmetry of the problem and basic geometry knowledge to solve it...
Daniel.
2*arcsin(n*sin(theta))+pi/2
heres my new answer.
dextercioby
Feb15-05, 09:13 AM
I'm getting angle=2[\arcsin (n\sin\theta)-\theta]
Daniel.
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