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04 - Optics - Prisms and Critical Angles
04 - Optics - Prisms and Critical Angles
Prisms and
Critical Angles
Lesson 4:
Prisms and Critical Angles
Whiteboard optics
a) Complete the path of the light through the prism, and show the
angle it will make when it leaves the prism.
b) If the refractive index of the glass is 1.55, calculate the angle of
refraction when it leaves the prism.
c) How would the answer to b) change if the prism were immersed
in water?
air
30o
glass
60o
b)
Complete the path of the light through the prism, and show the
angle it will make when it leaves the prism.
If the refractive index of the glass is 1.55, calculate the angle of
refraction when it leaves the prism.
30o
glass
air
60o
n2
n1
n 1 > n2
Instead of refraction,
total internal reflection
occurs when the angle
of incidence exceeds
the critical angle.
r = 90o
n2
c
n1
n 1 > n2
n1sin(1)
= n2sin(90o)
n1sin(c) = n2sin(90o)
sin(c) = n2/ n1
c = sin-1(n2/n1)
Binoculars use a
combination of
prisms that reflect
the incoming light.
As long as the
incident angles
exceed the critical
angle, the light will
be reflected.
A.
B.