(Write on the RULED SIDE of the lab record book)

TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION IN A RIGHT ANGLED PRISM

AIM : To study the phenomena of total internal reflection in a right angled prism and its use to
deviate a ray through 90˚.

APPARATUS : A right angled prism (45˚- 90˚- 45˚), a soft board, white sheet of paper, thumb pins,
common pins and a protractor.

PROCEDURE :
1. Fix the given white sheet of paper on the soft board using thumb pins.
2. Place the given right angled prism on the white paper. Mark its outline. Mark the three edges of the
prism as P, Q and R.
3. Remove the prism and mark a point A on face PQ, approximately at the centre of side PQ of the
prism. Draw a line OA normal to face PQ at A.
4. Fix two pins P1 and P2 in erect and vertical positions on line OA at an approximate gap of 4 cm from
each other.
5. Look from side QR of the prism and bring your eye in line with the two images of pins P1 and P2.
6. Fix another pin P3 towards the side QR in a position such that when seen through the prism the pin
P3 is exactly in line with the two images of pins P1 and P2.
7. Use the same procedure to fix the fourth pin P4 in line.
8. Remove the pins and mark their position by encircling the dots created by the pins on the paper.
9. Remove the prism and draw a line by joining the positions of points P3 and P4 and produce it to meet
the side PR of the prism at B. Also join AB.
10. Measure the angles BAQ and BCR and record them.
11. Draw a normal BN at B on side PR of the prism and measure the angles ABN and CBN and record
their values.

CONCLUSIONS :
1. Since the angle with the prism surface by which the ray gets refracted from the first surface is 90˚, it
implies that the ray which strike the prism surface normally, passes undeviated.
2. Since sum of angle i and r is 90˚. The total deviation suffered in a ray incident normally on one face of
a right angled prism is found to be 90˚.

PRECAUTIONS :
1. Fix the pin erect and vertical on the soft board.
2. Keep a minimum gap of 4-5 cm between the common pins.
3. Keep your eye at least 3-4 feet from the prism, while looking through the prism.
 (Write on the UNRULED SIDE of the lab record book)
(Write only with a pencil)

OBSERVATIONS :

Angle of incidence (∠i) for the ray incident at surface PR; ∠ABN = __________________
Angle of reflection (∠r); ∠CBN = __________________
Total deviation (δ) = Sum of angles ABN and CBN
= _____________ + _____________