Two mirrors meet at a 135 degree angle.... (light ray question)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem involving the reflection of light rays between two mirrors that meet at a 135-degree angle. Participants are attempting to determine specific angles related to the reflection process.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants express confusion regarding the calculation of angles, particularly angle C, and some mention using complementary angles and the law of reflection. There are requests for more detailed work and labeling in diagrams to clarify the situation.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and encouragement to continue exploring the problem. Some have identified potential relationships between angles but lack clarity on the specifics. There is no explicit consensus yet, but suggestions for labeling diagrams may help clarify the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that they have answers but are unsure how to arrive at them, indicating a possible gap in understanding the relationships between the angles involved. There is also mention of needing to clarify what certain angles refer to in the context of the problem.

kspex2
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Homework Statement
Two mirrors meet at a 135 degree angle. If light rays strike one mirror at 40 degrees as shown, at what angle do they leave the second mirror?
Relevant Equations
none for this one, it's a visual problem
sdasdasdasd.PNG
I tried to use complementary angles and the law of reflection but I still have no idea how to find the angle.
 
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Please show your work. We cannot help until you post your detailed effort to work on the solution. Thank you.
 
I tried to think it through, didn't really have any work; I think I'm just missing something really simple.
 
kspex2 said:
I tried to think it through, didn't really have any work; I think I'm just missing something really simple.
Draw-it-on-paper...
 
Can't find what angle C is. I already have the answer I just don't know how to get there, how can we know what angle C is?
 

Attachments

2020-09-24 17-50-1.png
 
kspex2 said:
View attachment 269997
The 40 degree angle is from the horizontal line to a line sloping down from the left.
The angle you have labelled C is from that sloping line to the continuation of the horizontal line, yes?
What is the total of those two angles, i.e. from a line going one way from a point to a line going in exactly the opposite direction from the same point?

What angle does the “95°" you have marked refer to?
It will aid discussion if you label some points in your diagrams.
 
Keep going! You need to find the angle that the ray leaves the 2nd mirror. With some good labeling of the ray angles and the mirror angles, you will have it!
 
Ohhhhhh I see a triangle now... meaning it's 180-135-30 = 5 so 5 degrees.
 
  • #10
kspex2 said:
Ohhhhhh I see a triangle now... meaning it's 180-135-30 = 5 so 5 degrees.
I'm with @haruspex on this -- can you please add more labels to your diagram that shows angles with respect to what? That should help you also in finalizing your answer to the problem. Thanks.
 
  • #11
kspex2 said:
Ohhhhhh I see a triangle now... meaning it's 180-135-30 = 5 so 5 degrees.
You mean 180-135-40 = 5, right?
 

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