What Is the Maximum Angle of Incidence for Light in Diamond?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on determining the maximum angle of incidence for light traveling through diamond, glycerin, water, and air in a cubic container. The critical angles for each interface must be considered, as exceeding these angles will result in total internal reflection. The light ray must exit into the air at a 90-degree angle, which sets the conditions for the angles in the preceding media. The relationship between the indices of refraction and the critical angles is crucial for solving the problem. Understanding the bending of light at each interface is essential for ensuring the ray successfully reaches the air.
dranseth
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Homework Statement



A cubic container contains air, water, glycerin, amd diamond. There are no spaces between, and all boundaries are parallel. For light to travel through all of the substances, what is the maximum angle of incidence of the light ray in the diamond?

Homework Equations



(n)(sin(critical angle))=(n)(sin(90º)
n= index of refraction

The Attempt at a Solution



Basically, I drew it out, found all the critical angles, got confused, then came here.
 
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Start with considering the emergent ray in the air, and let that one get out at 90 deg in the air. So, the ray from the water to air is at the critical angle. Now work your way backward.
 
I don't understand.
 
The light ray travels from the diamond to glycerin to water to air. If at any of the interfaces, the angle is greater than the critical angle between those two media, it'll be reflected back and won't reach the air. At the last interface, that is, between water and air, it can just come out at 90 deg.

Note that the densities of the materials are also in same order as the RIs of the materials, so the light ray keeps on bending to the same side.
 
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