A equilateral prism (all three angles are 60.0 degrees) sits on a horizontal sur

Question

A equilateral prism (all three angles are 60.0 degrees) sits on a horizontal surface. its index of refraction is 1.60. a laser initially running parallel to the horizontal is incident on the left side of the prism. after the laser line goes through the prism and reaches it on the other side:

a) Does the laser refract or reflect? (Hint: remember to create two surface normals)

b) what is the final angle of the laser with respect to the horizontal table (answer this whether it refracts or reflects)

Explanation / Answer

For the first interface,

Note that from Snell's law,      
      
n1sin(t1) = n2sin(t2)      
      
where      
      
n1 = index of refraction of first medium =    1  
t1 = angle of incidence =    60   degrees
n2 = index of refraction of second medium =    1.6  
t2 = angle of refraction
      
Thus,      
      
t2 =    32.76985425   degrees

Thus, on the second interface,

Note that from Snell's law,      
      
n1sin(t1) = n2sin(t2)      
      
where      
      
n1 = index of refraction of first medium =    1.6  
t1 = angle of incidence =    27.23015   degrees
n2 = index of refraction of second medium =    1  
t2 = angle of refraction
      
Thus,      
      
t2 =    47.06319073   degrees [IT REFRACTS]

This is the angle with respect to the second normal. WIth respect to the horizontal,

Angle = 17.06 degrees below the horizontal [ANSWER]

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.