Why Don't We Convert Wavelength When Light Enters Glass?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of light as it passes through an air wedge formed by two glass plates. Participants are questioning why the wavelength of light in air is not converted when it enters glass, particularly in comparison to scenarios involving water.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the nature of interference patterns formed in the air gap and question the necessity of converting wavelengths when light enters glass. There are discussions about the role of the medium in which interference occurs and whether the presence of water would change the approach to wavelength conversion.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants providing insights into the role of the air gap in the experiment. Some have suggested that the interference occurs in the air, while others are considering how different surrounding media might affect the wavelength used in calculations.

Contextual Notes

There are references to specific experimental setups and the implications of using different media, such as air and water, which may influence the understanding of wavelength conversion in this context.

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Homework Statement


When 2 glass plates form an air wedge with a fine wire at one end, why don't we convert the given wavelength in air of light into the wavelength in glass since we have to convert it when it is entering in water??
Thanks


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The Attempt at a Solution

 
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Because the fringes are formed in the air gap - the experiment works just as well with two metal mirrors.
 
mgb_phys said:
Because the fringes are formed in the air gap - the experiment works just as well with two metal mirrors.

so there are gaps in the glass that light passes through so we don't need to convert it?
 
The experiment is to measure fringes formed in the air between the two slides.
The only reason you use glass slides is to be able to see what's happening - all the interference takes place in the air (the wedge gap) between them.
 
mgb_phys said:
The experiment is to measure fringes formed in the air between the two slides.
The only reason you use glass slides is to be able to see what's happening - all the interference takes place in the air (the wedge gap) between them.

If water was surrounding the wedge, would we still keep using the wavelength in air for a problem like that?
 
If the wedge between the slides is still air, then use air.
If there is water in the wedge between the slides, use water.
 
The path difference between the light reflected at either side of the
air wedge is twice the rhickness of the air wedge.

Since only one of the interfering waves passes through the air, I would
say the interference (superposition) occurs anywhere but he air wedge!
 
Last edited:

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