Index of Refraction: Solving a Problem

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around confusion regarding the setup of a problem related to the index of refraction and the behavior of light in relation to a scratch on a surface. Participants are questioning whether light is reflecting off the scratch or passing through it before entering a microscope. There is mention of a professor's guidance to assume light comes from below and to represent the scratch as a point on the surface. The problem is part of a junior-level Modern Optics class, indicating its educational context. Clarification on the light's path is sought to better understand the optical principles involved.
Shackleford
Messages
1,649
Reaction score
2
Physics news on Phys.org
Is the light bouncing off the scratch and entering the microscope?

Is the light going through the scratch and out the other side of the plate and then into the microscope?

??
 
Shackleford said:
Is the light bouncing off the scratch and entering the microscope?

Is the light going through the scratch and out the other side of the plate and then into the microscope?

??

Seems like you are looking at the scratch directly in one case, and the reflection of the scratch formed by the back surface the next time, perhaps
 
Why was this moved? This is part of the review in my junior-level Modern Optics class.
 
The professor said,

"Assume light will come up from bottom and you can represent the scratch by a point on the surface."
 
This is my guess as to what's happening. I'm sure it's wrong.

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110830_185731.jpg

http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n149/camarolt4z28/IMG_20110830_185720.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

How to find unknown refractive index to solve for theta
Replies
11
Views
2K
What is the focal point of a lens in a geometrical optics problem?
Replies
4
Views
1K
Vessel with liquids having different refractive index
Replies
18
Views
4K
Two Prisms connected by a material of refractive index n
Replies
3
Views
1K
Light Refraction: Finding an Exact Value for a 2nd Image
Replies
6
Views
2K
Solve Refractive Index Homework: Order of Interference & n
Replies
5
Views
2K
The maximum intensity for light transmitted through a thin film
Replies
2
Views
3K
Previous university exam problem on refraction (that I think is wrong)
Replies
14
Views
4K
Finding the Index of Refraction in a Prism
Replies
1
Views
2K
Index of Refraction Concept - Extremely Confusing
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top