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bcjochim07
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Simple Ray Optics Problem--Check my answer?
You're helping with an experiment in which a vertical cylinder will rotate about its axis by a very small angle. You need to devise a way to measure this angle. You decide to use what is called an optical lever. You begin by mounting a small mirror on top of the cylinder. A laser 5 m away shoots a laser beam at the mirror. Before the experiment starts, the mirror is adjusted to reflect the laser beam directly back to the laser. Later, you measure that the reflected laser beam, when it returns to the laser, has been deflected to the side 2 mm. Through how many degrees has the cylinder rotated?
I just wanted to make sure I was visualizing this setup right. So I drew a right triangle with legs 5 m and .002 m. Then I took the arctan(.002/5) and got .023 degrees. Is this correct?
Homework Statement
You're helping with an experiment in which a vertical cylinder will rotate about its axis by a very small angle. You need to devise a way to measure this angle. You decide to use what is called an optical lever. You begin by mounting a small mirror on top of the cylinder. A laser 5 m away shoots a laser beam at the mirror. Before the experiment starts, the mirror is adjusted to reflect the laser beam directly back to the laser. Later, you measure that the reflected laser beam, when it returns to the laser, has been deflected to the side 2 mm. Through how many degrees has the cylinder rotated?
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I just wanted to make sure I was visualizing this setup right. So I drew a right triangle with legs 5 m and .002 m. Then I took the arctan(.002/5) and got .023 degrees. Is this correct?