Finding Light Shifting Distance: An Exercise in Refraction

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the light shifting distance as it passes through a block of glass with a refractive index of 1.5 at an angle of 30 degrees. The user calculated the angle of refraction to be 19.471 degrees but obtained a shift of 0.446 cm, which differs from the expected 3.88 mm. The correct approach involves determining the horizontal distances for both the incident and refracted rays, with the shift being the difference between these distances. The concept of parallel lines for the incident and emerging rays is emphasized, indicating that the shift is the length of the normal intersecting these lines. Clarification on the calculation method is sought to resolve the discrepancy.
Bri
Messages
20
Reaction score
0
A ray of light strikes a flat block of glass (n=1.5) of thickness 2.0 cm at an angle of 30 degrees with the normal. Find the distance the light is shifted.
I found the angle of refraction to be 19.471 degrees.
I figured I could find the horizontal distance traveled by rays going through at 30 and 19.471 degrees using tan(theta) = d/2.
Then I subtracted one distance from the other, and I get .446 cm, when, according to the book, I should get 3.88 mm.
What am I doing wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Last edited:
Bri said:
A ray of light strikes a flat block of glass (n=1.5) of thickness 2.0 cm at an angle of 30 degrees with the normal. Find the distance the light is shifted.
I found the angle of refraction to be 19.471 degrees.
I figured I could find the horizontal distance traveled by rays going through at 30 and 19.471 degrees using tan(theta) = d/2.
Then I subtracted one distance from the other, and I get .446 cm, when, according to the book, I should get 3.88 mm.
What am I doing wrong?


The lines of both the incident and emerging rays are parallel, and the shift of the light rays is characterized by the distance between those parallel lines. It is the length of the intersecting normal ("S" in the picture attached).

ehild
 
Last edited:
Yes.I drew that line too but it is rather ugly. :p
 
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'

In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
View full post »

Similar threads

Refraction of light when traveling from air to glass
Replies
6
Views
1K
Calculate a radius of a circle on a screen
Replies
3
Views
1K
Light incident on a sphere, focused at a distance ##2R##
Replies
2
Views
1K
Optics. A laser beam is refracted in a piece of glass.
Replies
1
Views
2K
Optics: refraction and reflection
Replies
1
Views
2K
The refractive index of an unknown liquid
Replies
1
Views
3K
The distance between the incident point and the refracted point
Replies
2
Views
2K
Find the refractive index for the lens and find the image distance
Replies
3
Views
2K
The maximum intensity for light transmitted through a thin film
Replies
2
Views
3K
Solve Snell's Law: Glass Cube Refractive Index = 1.77
Replies
8
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top