How Does Light Emerge from a Prism Using Snell's Law?

AI Thread Summary
Light enters an equilateral glass prism at a 45-degree angle, and using Snell's Law, the angle of refraction inside the prism is calculated as 28.33 degrees. The refractive index of air is 1.00, while that of glass is 1.49. To find the angle of emergence from the opposite face, the angle of incidence at the second face must be determined. A diagram is recommended to visualize the angles and facilitate calculations. The same application of Snell's Law will yield the final angle at which light emerges from the prism.
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Homework Statement



Light is incident on an equilateral glass prism at a 45.0 °angle to one face. Calculate the angle at which light emerges from the opposite face. Assume that n = 1.49.
θ4 = ?

Homework Equations



n1 * sin θ1 = n2 * sin θ2

The Attempt at a Solution



n1 = 1.00 (air)
n2 = 1.49
sin 45° = 0.707

n1 * sinθ1 / 1.49 = sin θ2

sin θ 2 = 0.474
θ2 = 28.33°

I'm having trouble finding θ3.

n2 = 1.49
θ2 = 28.33°
n3 = 1.49
θ3 = ??
 

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I suggest that you draw a diagram. Then knowing the angle you just found, you can calculate the angle at which the light is incident from glass to air at the second face of the prism.
Then use the same method as before.
 
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