Maximum angle of the refracted light beam

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a light ray transitioning from air into a cylindrical glass tube submerged in water, with specific indices of refraction provided for each medium. The focus is on determining the maximum entry angle of the light ray that allows it to remain within the glass without escaping.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Snell's law and the concept of critical angles. Questions arise regarding the meaning of the maximum entry angle and the behavior of the light ray as it travels through different media.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring the implications of refraction and critical angles, with some suggesting that total internal reflection may play a role in the light ray's behavior within the glass. There is an ongoing dialogue about the interpretation of the problem and the necessary starting points for analysis.

Contextual Notes

There is some uncertainty regarding the definitions and implications of the maximum entry angle and critical angle in the context of this problem. Participants are seeking clarification on these concepts as they relate to the setup described.

Tardis Traveller
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Homework Statement


A light ray falls from the air (##n_a=1##) into the center of the upper surface of a long cilindrical glass tube with an index of refraction ##n_t=3/2##. The tube is submerged into water all the way to the upper edge and the waters index of refraction is ##n_w=4/3##. What is the maximum entry angle of the light ray at which it will only be traveling inside the glass?
a)##arcsine(1/6)##
b)##arcsin(\sqrt{15}/6)##
c)##arcsin(\sqrt{17}/6)##

Homework Equations


3. The Attempt at a Solution
I gues the snells law must be used ##n_1sin(x_1)=n_2sin(x_2)## but i don't get the problem. What is meant by maximum entry angle at which the beam will be traveling inside the cylinder only and how do i get that? I don't know my starting points. Could you hint?[/B]
 
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Tardis Traveller said:
dont get the problem
The light ray strikes the top of the cylinder at some angle. Refraction rotates it to a steeper angle within the glass. What might happen next?
 
haruspex said:
The light ray strikes the top of the cylinder at some angle. Refraction rotates it to a steeper angle within the glass. What might happen next?
I thought about it and i think the refracted ray inside the glass should come to the edge at a critical angle so that all of it gets reflected to the glass again and so on right?
 
Tardis Traveller said:
I thought about it and i think the refracted ray inside the glass should come to the edge at a critical angle so that all of it gets reflected to the glass again and so on right?
Yes, though I'm not sure what you mean by "and so on" there.
 

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