A equilateral prism (all three angles are 60.0 degree ) is shown here, sitting o

Question

A equilateral prism (all three angles are 60.0 degree ) is shown here, sitting 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 he prism. After the laser line goes through the prism and reaches it on the other side: Does the laser refract or reflect? (Hint: remember to create two surface normal!) What is the final angle of the laser with respect to the horizontal table (answer this whether it refracts or reflects)

Explanation / Answer

Note that from Snell's law,      
      
n1sin(t1) = n2sin(t2)      
      
where      
      
n1 = index of refraction of first medium =    1  
t1 = angle of incidence =    30   degrees
n2 = index of refraction of second medium =    1.6  
t2 = angle of refraction
      
Thus,      
      
t2 =    18.20995686   degrees

For 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 =    41.79   degrees
n2 = index of refraction of second medium =    1  

It exceeds the critical angle and it REFLECTS. [ANSWER]

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The final angle with respect to the horizontal is then 11.79 degrees BELOW THE HORIZONAL.   [ANSWER]

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