Reflectance Equal to Transmittance

  • Thread starter Thread starter says
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Reflectance
AI Thread Summary
Reflectance (R) and transmittance (T) can be equal at normal incidence under specific conditions, particularly when the refractive indices of the two media are equal. When R equals T, both values would be 0.5, as they must sum to 1 according to the equation Rs + Ts = 1. The discussion highlights confusion regarding the conditions for equality, suggesting that applying the equations directly can clarify the relationship. Exploring Brewster's angle may also provide insights into the behavior of light at interfaces.
says
Messages
585
Reaction score
12

Homework Statement


Under what conditions would the reflectance, R, and the transmittance, T, be equal to each other at normal incidence at an interface? What would be the values of R and T under these conditions?

Homework Equations


Rs = |rs|2

Ts = |ts|2 η2cosθt / η1cosθi

Rs + Ts = 1

rs = η2cosθi - η1cosθt / η2cosθi + η1cosθt

ts = 1 + rs

t & r = Fresnel coefficients
R = Reflectance
T = Transmittance
η = refractive indicies

The Attempt at a Solution


I've been given these equations and the ts makes me think that there are no conditions in which transmittance can be equal to each other at normal incidence at an interface.

The second part of this question, 'What would be the values of R and T under these conditions?' makes me think I'm wrong, but I don't understand how they could be equal...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If you talk about light, see Brewster's angle definition.
 
Why would the ts lead you to think there are no conditions such that R=T?
Have you tried putting R=T in the equations and checking?
 
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...
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...
Back
Top