Light Refracted through a Prism

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the largest value of the angle alpha for which no light is refracted out of a glass prism with a refractive index of 1.66, when the prism is immersed in air. The proposed solution involves using Snell's Law and the criteria for total internal reflection. The initial incident angle is determined to be equal to 90 - alpha, and further calculations are needed to find the necessary angle for total internal reflection.
  • #1
Yaaaldi
17
0

Homework Statement



Light is incident along the normal to face AB of a glass prism of refractive index 1.66, as shown in the figure.

[PLAIN]http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6339/yffigure3336.jpg

Find [tex]\alpha[/tex]max, the largest value of the angle [tex]\alpha[/tex] such that no light is refracted out of the prism at face AC if the prism is immersed in air.

Homework Equations


I know I'm supposed to use Snells Law, but I really have no idea how to obtain the answer.


The Attempt at a Solution



I know that the incident angle is equal to 90 - [tex]\alpha[/tex] but that's all I know really.

Thanks
 
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  • #2
Yes the angle of incidence is 90-α
I've drawn it in your diagram. (i)
prism.jpg

You now need to find what angle i needs to be in order that there is total internal reflection at the hypotenuse face of the prism.
Using Snell's Law, do you know the criteria for total internal reflection?
 

FAQ: Light Refracted through a Prism

How does light refract through a prism?

When light enters a prism, it is bent due to the change in speed as it travels from one medium (air) to another (glass). This bending of light is known as refraction.

What causes the different colors to appear when light is refracted through a prism?

The different colors of the visible spectrum (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet) have different wavelengths, which causes them to refract at different angles as they pass through the prism. This separation of colors is known as dispersion.

How is the angle of refraction determined in a prism?

The angle of refraction is determined by Snell's law, which states that the ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of the angle of refraction is equal to the ratio of the speeds of light in the two media.

Can light be refracted in other materials besides glass?

Yes, light can be refracted in any transparent material, as long as there is a change in speed as it passes through. This includes liquids, such as water or oil, and even the Earth's atmosphere.

What is the practical application of understanding light refraction through a prism?

Understanding light refraction through a prism is important in many fields, such as optics, astronomy, and photography. Prisms are also used in devices like binoculars and cameras to bend and focus light, allowing for clearer and more magnified images.

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