Light refracting through a plastic sphere

In summary, the problem involves finding the location of an image of a small light bulb placed 10.0 cm from the center of a plastic sphere with a radius of 1.0 cm and refractive index of 1.40. The equations that may be used are the thin lens equation and the thick lens equation, and the object is treated as a lens. It is suggested to refer to the definition of a thin lens, such as through Wikipedia.
  • #1
majinsock
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0

Homework Statement


A small light bulb is placed 10.0 cm from the center of a plastic sphere of radius 1.0 cm
and refractive index 1.40. Where is the image of the bulb?

Homework Equations


1) Thin lens equation
2) Thick lens equation


The Attempt at a Solution


I realize that I'm going to have to treat this object as a lens, but I'm not totally sure about whether to use the thin lens formula or not. Would I treat this object as a "thick" lens and use its diameter as its thickness? Or is the spherical nature of the object going to require another equation? Thanks in advance.
 
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  • #2
Do you have a definition for a thin lens? If not, try Wikipedia.
 

FAQ: Light refracting through a plastic sphere

What is light refraction?

Light refraction is the bending of light as it passes through a material with a different optical density. This occurs because the speed of light changes when it moves from one medium to another.

How does light refract through a plastic sphere?

When light enters a plastic sphere, it is refracted as it passes from air into the plastic. The amount of refraction depends on the angle at which the light enters and the refractive index of the plastic. The light then continues to travel through the plastic until it reaches the other side, where it is refracted again as it exits the sphere and enters air again.

What is the refractive index of plastic?

The refractive index of plastic can vary depending on the type of plastic used. Generally, it falls between 1.3 and 1.7, with most plastics having a refractive index of around 1.5. This means that light will be bent by about 1.5 times as it passes through the plastic.

Why is light refracted differently in different materials?

Light is refracted differently in different materials because each material has a different optical density. The optical density is a measure of how much a material slows down the speed of light. When light enters a material with a higher optical density, it will bend more than when it enters a material with a lower optical density.

What factors affect the refraction of light through a plastic sphere?

The main factors that affect the refraction of light through a plastic sphere are the angle at which the light enters, the refractive index of the plastic, and the thickness of the sphere. The angle of incidence, or the angle at which the light enters the sphere, will determine the amount of refraction that occurs. The refractive index of the plastic will also play a role, with higher refractive index materials causing more refraction. The thickness of the sphere will also affect the amount of refraction, with thicker spheres causing more bending of light.

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