Fluctuating Refractive Index and Light Perception

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the optical phenomenon of light perception through a slab with a fluctuating refractive index. The key equation derived is the final image position, expressed as (t/μ + 1), where 't' represents the thickness of the slab and 'μ' denotes the refractive index. The differentiation of this equation with respect to time yields dv/dt = c (dμ/dt), indicating the relationship between the rate of change of the image position and the fluctuating refractive index. The conversation highlights the importance of considering the angle of incidence when analyzing light behavior through the slab.

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utkarshakash
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Homework Statement


A narrow beam of light passes through a slab obliquely and is then received by an eye. The index of refraction of the material in the slab fluctuates slowly with time. How will it appear to the eye?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Let a point object be kept at a distance u to the left of the slab. Now I can find the final position of the image and it comes out to be (t/μ + 1) where t and μ are thickness and refractive index of the slab.
Differentiating this wrt time
dv/dt = c (dμ/dt)

How to interpret this physically?
 
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I'm not sure you are addressing the given problem. It says an oblique beam of light, not an object viewed perpendicularly through the slab. So I don't think distances come into it (but that might have been a more interesting question).
 

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