How Does Light Refract Through a Prism with Different Angles?

In summary, The problem involves light incident on a glass prism with an angle of incidence of 54° and entering from the south west side towards the north east. Using Snell's law, the first angle of refraction is found to be 28.4°. To find the third angle, one must use knowledge of triangles and angles to continue the ray into the prism and create a triangle with known angles.
  • #1
StumpedFrosh
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Homework Statement



Light is incident on a glass prism with an angle of incidence of 54°. The light enters on the left hand side of a triangular prism with base angles of 80° and apex angle of 20°. (The 54° ray of incidence enters from the south west side of the prism, directed towards the north east). Calculate all the angles as a ray of light travels through a prism. Assume that the prism is surrounded with air therefore n=1, also the n value of the prism is n=1.7.

Homework Equations



snell's law: n1sinΘ1=n2sinΘ2

The Attempt at a Solution


With the given information i drew the image and determined through snell's law that the first angle of refraction (Θ2) equals 28.4°... I don't understand how to find Θ3.
 
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  • #2
You have to use you knowledge of triangles and angles to work out an incident angle to the second side.
Since you have a sketch, you can continue the ray into the prism until it strikes the other side.
The ray and the apex of the prism will make a triangle where you know two of the angles.
 

1. What is the relationship between angles of light and prisms?

The relationship between angles of light and prisms is that prisms are able to refract or bend light at specific angles, causing the light to separate into its component colors. This is due to the different wavelengths of light being bent at different angles as they pass through the prism.

2. How do prisms create a rainbow effect?

Prisms create a rainbow effect by causing white light to separate into its component colors. As white light passes through a prism, the different wavelengths of light are bent at different angles, causing the light to spread out and create a spectrum of colors.

3. What is the difference between refraction and reflection?

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a medium, such as a prism. Reflection is the bouncing back of light when it hits a surface, such as a mirror. Both processes involve the change in direction of light, but refraction involves a change in speed and wavelength, while reflection does not.

4. Can prisms be used for more than just creating rainbows?

Yes, prisms have many practical uses in science and technology. They are used in optical instruments such as microscopes and telescopes to bend and focus light. Prisms are also used in spectroscopes to analyze the composition of light and in fiber optics to transmit and manipulate light signals.

5. How do prisms affect the colors we see in objects?

Prisms do not affect the colors we see in objects. However, they can reveal the true colors of an object by separating the different wavelengths of light that make up white light. For example, a white object may appear to be white under normal light, but when viewed through a prism, it may reveal that it is actually made up of a combination of different colors.

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