Why do we have minimum deviation of a prism?

[Sheldon11]

Why do we have minimum deviation of prism? physical explanation is needed!

 

[ZapperZ]

Why do we have minimum deviation of prism? physical explanation is needed!

Physical explanation: Snell's law.

Mathematical explanation: https://www.usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/_files/documents/Scholarship/MinimumDeviation.pdf

You should make an effort to describe more of what you KNOW. Otherwise, I have to make a guess that you know what Snell's law is and how to use it. Your question should always be accompanied by a more elaborate explanation.

Zz.

 

[Sheldon11]

thank you for your helping :)

 

[Sheldon11]

Physical explanation: Snell's law.

I know about snell's law.. But I cannot figure it the physical explanation properly.. if you could explain it more details, i would be very helpful.

 

[ZapperZ]

I know about snell's law.. But I cannot figure it the physical explanation properly.. if you could explain it more details, i would be very helpful.

The mathematical explanation does not give you an insight into the physical explanation?

Zz.

 

[sophiecentaur]

@Sheldon11 Even if you don't like Maths too much, you can draw a triangle (prism) and a line for the incident ray. Measure the angle to the normal. Use Snell to find the angle of refraction and draw the line to the next surface, Snell again and you have the exit ray direction. Try for a few different angles and see that there is a minimum. That should be 'physical' enough for anyone.
Sometimes there just isn't a 'physical' explanation for a phenomenon that you can't just feel. Also, when we feel something is 'obvious' , it's often because we are so used to it that we take it for granted. If you do a few spot calculations you will see how the figures work and that can give you a feeling of understanding, which is the most any of us can hope for about any Science.

 

[Drakkith]

I know about snell's law.. But I cannot figure it the physical explanation properly.. if you could explain it more details, i would be very helpful.

What do you mean when you ask for a "physical explanation"? Are you asking how light interacts with glass? Are you asking about how to come up with the derivation? Something else?

 

[sophiecentaur]

What do you mean when you ask for a "physical explanation"?

Haha. An explanation that manages not to include any Maths, I think.

 

[Sheldon11]

I think I am getting it right! thank you very much for your thougt! :)

 

[sophiecentaur]

I think I am getting it right! thank u very much for your thougt! :)

You can be confident that you have got it right if you do some actual calculations. (Sorry but it's true! )