Displacement of virtual image problem

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the displacement of a virtual image formed by an object inside a glass sphere with a radius R and a refractive index of 1.5. The user attempts to derive the image shift (S) as a function of the object's distance (d) from the sphere's center using Snell's law. The equation presented is complex, indicating a need for simplification or alternative approaches to express S clearly. The user seeks assistance in finding two expressions for the distance from the exit point of the ray to the apparent position in terms of angles, d, and S.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Snell's law and refraction principles
  • Familiarity with geometric optics and ray diagrams
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation and solving equations
  • Basic concepts of virtual images in optics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore advanced applications of Snell's law in optical systems
  • Research geometric optics techniques for virtual image calculations
  • Investigate methods for simplifying complex equations in optics
  • Learn about ray tracing software for visualizing optical phenomena
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, optical engineering, and anyone interested in understanding the behavior of light in refractive media.

theguyoo
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Moved from a technical forum, so homework template missing.
An object is within a glass sphere of radius R with a refractive index of 1.5 . I'm trying to calculate the displacement of the virtual object relative to the actual when viewed from the side, such that the refracted ray emanating from the object becomes horizontal. I would like to know S (the image shift) as a function of d, the distance of the object from the center of the sphere.

Diagram: http://imgur.com/dCaTLvq

So far I've tried starting with Snell's law, sin\alpha = 1.5sin\beta, and manipulated it to get:
\frac{\sqrt{R^{2}}-x^{2}}{R}=1.5\frac{x \cdot d}{R\sqrt{R^{2}-2d\sqrt{R^{2}-x^{2}+d^{2}}}}where and x is the distance form origin so (S+d)^{2}+x^{2}=R^{2} The problem is it's too messy to rearrange to make S the subject, but I'm guessing there's a better way.

Thanks.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Look at the horizontal line from the point where the ray exits the sphere to the apparent position. Can you find two expressions for that distance in terms of the angles, d and S?
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
6K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
4K