Radiation intensity and distance?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the refraction of light as it passes through a plastic block, specifically focusing on calculating the time the light ray spends inside the block. The problem includes parameters such as the angle of incidence, the length of the block, and the index of refraction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of Snell's law to find the angle of refraction and the subsequent steps needed to determine the speed of light in the plastic. Questions arise about how to calculate the speed of light in the medium and the length of the path the light travels through the block.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided hints regarding the necessary calculations, such as finding the speed of light in the plastic and using trigonometry to determine the path length. However, there is no explicit consensus on the next steps, and participants are still exploring various aspects of the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the only property given about the plastic is its index of refraction, which raises questions about how to utilize this information effectively in the calculations.

gigli
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Homework Statement


A light ray enters the plastic block in the illustration at an angle of 33.0° and then exits the opposite side. The long side of the block has a length of 0.670 m and its index of refraction is 1.70. For how much time is the light ray inside the block?

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15094&stc=1&d=1219187822

Homework Equations


Snell's law:
nisin\thetai=nrsin\thetar
n=index of refraction
\theta=incident angle from normal


n plastic=1.70
n air = 1.00

The Attempt at a Solution


According to Snell's law:
(1.70)*sin(33)=(1.00)*sin(\theta)
0.92588636=sin(\theta)
arcsin(0.92588636)=\theta = 67.8023923 degrees

And the speed of light is 2.998*10^8 m/s.

But after that I am not sure where to proceed! Can anyone help me figure this one out?
 
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You need to know two things to solve this problem.

1. The speed of light in the plastic block.

Do you know how to find this?

2.You need to know the length of the path traveled through the block.

You should be able to find this using the angle obtained from Snell's law and some trigonometry, but I can't say for sure if you don't post the actual figure in question.
 
How do I determine the speed of light inside the plastic?

And I posted a diagram:
https://www.physicsforums.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15094&stc=1&d=1219187822
 
Got it. Speed of light in plastic. Roger. Appreciate it
 
Last edited:
gigli said:
How do I determine the speed of light inside the plastic?

The only property you're given about the material is its index of refraction. What is the definition of the index of refraction?
 

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