Light ray passing through a glass block at normal incidence

[schutzeh]

Hi, this is the question in my homework.

Explain what happens when a light ray enters and leaves a glass block if it hits the face of the block at right angles to it.

Can someone pelase help me, i think that the light ray would just go straight through the block without bending but I am unsure and it requires a more in depth answer than that so if anyone can, its greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Doc Al]

Refraction is governed by Snell's law. Look it up and see what it says about this situation.

 

[rl.bhat]

Refractive index, light ray help Reply to Thread

Yes. The light will travel through the glass block without bending. But its path inside the block gets shortened.
Apparent path = real path /refractive index
If you see the source of light from the other side of the block , you feel that the source of light is nearer.

 

[Doc Al]

Yes. The light will travel through the glass block without bending. But its path inside the block gets shortened.
Apparent path = real path /refractive index
If you see the source of light from the other side of the block , you feel that the source of light is nearer.

That's true when viewing a light source (and is also explained by Snell's law), but this question only refers to a single ray that makes a right angle to the surface. A light source will have many rays at all angles.

To answer this question, apply Snell's law.