Change of angle if refractive index changes for 10^-6

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the change in angle related to the refractive index, specifically in the context of optics and differential calculus. Participants are exploring the relationship between changes in the refractive index and the resulting angle changes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of differentials to relate changes in angle and refractive index. There are inquiries about the correctness of a provided solution and the steps leading to it. Some express uncertainty about the equations needed for differentiation.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes attempts to clarify the mathematical steps involved in the problem. While one participant claims to have solved the issue, there is no explicit consensus on the methodology, and multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention a lack of equations to differentiate, indicating potential gaps in the problem setup or assumptions that need to be addressed.

AncientOne99
Messages
32
Reaction score
1
Homework Statement
The following expression sin ϑ = 1 / n applies to the angle of total reflection at the transition of the beam from glass to air. For how much
changes the angle if the refractive index changes by 10^−6?
For n take 1.5. Express the result only with n.
Relevant Equations
sin(ϑ) = 1/n(water)
Solution:
(delta (ϑ)) =
-(minus delta n) /(n*sqrt((n^2-1)))
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you are asking whether your answer is correct, it is.
 
Yes i know the solution, but i don't know the steps.
 
Do you know how to take differentials? For example
##d(x^2)=\frac{d}{dx}(x^2)dx=2xdx.##

Apply this idea to find ##d(\sin\theta)## and ##d(\frac{1}{n})## and set them equal.
 
kuruman said:
Do you know how to take differentials? For example
##d(x^2)=\frac{d}{dx}(x^2)dx=2xdx.##

Apply this idea to find ##d(\sin\theta)## and ##d(\frac{1}{n})## and set them equal.
Yes, i know how to take the diferentials, but there is no equation to diferentiate or i don't know it.
 
I solved it, thanks for your help !
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: kuruman

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
851
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K