Angle of refraction through a prism

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the wavelength of light in a glass prism using Snell's Law. The light with a wavelength of 570 nm travels through air and a glass slab with a thickness of 0.890 m, taking 20.7 ns to reach the photocell. The calculations involve determining the angles of refraction, with results showing angles of 37.89° and 38.04° for different refractive indices. The discrepancy in the angles indicates a potential error in the initial calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's Law and its application in optics
  • Knowledge of light propagation and wavelength concepts
  • Familiarity with the properties of glass and its refractive index
  • Basic skills in solving physics problems involving time and distance
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation and applications of Snell's Law in different media
  • Learn about the refractive index of various materials, including glass types
  • Explore the relationship between wavelength and speed of light in different mediums
  • Investigate common errors in optics calculations and how to avoid them
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Physics students, educators, and anyone interested in optics and the behavior of light in different materials.

james.rg
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Homework Statement



In a physics lab, light with a wavelength of 570nmtravels in air from a laser to a photocell in a time of 17.5ns . When a slab of glass with a thickness of 0.890m is placed in the light beam, with the beam incident along the normal to the parallel faces of the slab, it takes the light a time of 20.7ns to travel from the laser to the photocell.

What is the wavelength of the light in the glass?

Homework Equations


snell's law (ni)sin(Θi)=(nr)sin(Θr)

The Attempt at a Solution


1sin70°=1.53sinΘ Θ=37.89°

1sin70°=1.525sinΘ Θ=38.04°

38.04°-37.89°=.15°

Fairly sure what I've done is wrong though
 
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Check the problem text. It has nothing common with the title of the thread or the solution. Have you copied a different problem by mistake :) ?
 
oh wow, didn't even see that.
thanks
 

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