Refraction: Solving Tricky Questions

  • Thread starter Thread starter NewScientist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Refraction
AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around solving two refraction-related questions involving a crown glass prism and a water surface. For the first question, participants suggest using the Sellmeier Equation to determine the maximum refracting angle for sodium light, which has a refractive index of 1.52. The second question involves finding the angle of incidence where the reflected and refracted rays are at right angles, with hints to use diagrams and simultaneous equations to relate the angles. Participants express uncertainty and seek clarification on their approaches, indicating a collaborative effort to solve the problems. Overall, the thread highlights the complexities of applying Snell's law and the need for further exploration of refractive indices.
NewScientist
Messages
171
Reaction score
0
1) Find the maximum refracting angle which a crown glass prism (1.52 refractive index) may have if sodium light is to pass through it with two refractions and no reflection? What deviation will be caused?

2) A beam of light strikes a water surface (refractive index 1.33) abd some of it is reflected by the surface and some is refracted. Find the angle of incidence of the beam of light if it is found that the refracted and the reflected rays are at right angle to each other.

I have no idea what to do!

I tried limiting Theta 1 and 2 in Snell's law but no luck!

Any help would be greatly recieved.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Not sure bout question 1, but for question 2, if you draw out a diagram, and try relating the angles to each other, I ended up with a situation where theta1 + theta2 equals 90 deg, and so using simultanius (I know its not spelt right) equations, the values of theta can be worked out (the other equations being relating the sin of the angles and the refractive index). That's what I think, but that doesn't mean its right. Best of luck with part 1.
 
^bump^^

please help!
 
Did you solve question 2 yet? For question 1 I imagine you'd need to use the Sellmeier Equation (I found this out after some research, it's new to me). Apparently, 'sodium light' is yellow and has a wavelength of 589nm.
 

Thread 'Struggling to understand the concept of this question (ice cube in water optics question)'

TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
View full post »
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

What is the refraction index of liver?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Optics: refraction and reflection
Replies
1
Views
2K
The refractive index of an unknown liquid
Replies
1
Views
3K
Solve Snell's Law: Glass Cube Refractive Index = 1.77
Replies
8
Views
5K
Conceptual Question about Polarisation and Intensity/
Replies
2
Views
1K
How do I find the refractive index in sugar solutions?
Replies
13
Views
4K
Mirror: refractive index and thickness
Replies
1
Views
2K
Deviation in refraction and TIR
Replies
2
Views
2K
Calculating Index of Refraction with Wavelength
Replies
1
Views
2K
Light rays passing through a glass prism
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top