Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach with Modern Physics (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321740904
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-090-8

Chapter 23 - Ray Optics - Exercises and Problems - Page 690: 22

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$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ We can estimate that the index of refraction of 656 nm in the flint glass is $$n_{656\rm \;nm}=\color{red}{\bf1.566}$$ and the index of refraction of 486 nm in the flint glass is $$n_{486\rm \;nm}=\color{red}{\bf 1.587}$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ According to Snell's law, $$n_1\sin\theta_1=n_2\sin\theta_2$$ where all the angles are measured relative to the normal. For the red light in flint glass, $$n_{\rm flint glass,red}\sin\theta_{\rm flint glass}=n_{air}\sin\theta_{\rm air,red}$$ So, $$ \theta_{\rm air,red}=\sin^{-1}\left[\dfrac{n_{\rm flint glass,red}\sin\theta_{\rm flint glass}}{n_{air}}\right]$$ Plugging the known; $$ \theta_{\rm air,red}=\sin^{-1}\left[\dfrac{(1.566)\sin35^\circ}{1.0}\right]=\bf 63.9^\circ$$ For the blue light in flint glass, $$ \theta_{\rm air,blue}=\sin^{-1}\left[\dfrac{n_{\rm flint glass,blue}\sin\theta_{\rm flint glass}}{n_{air}}\right]$$ Plugging the known; $$ \theta_{\rm air,blue}=\sin^{-1}\left[\dfrac{(1.587)\sin35^\circ}{1.0}\right]=\bf 65.5^\circ$$ Therefore, the angle between the red and blue light, as it leaves the prism, is given by $$\Delta \theta=\theta_{\rm air,blue}-\theta_{\rm air,red}$$ $$\Delta \theta=65.5^\circ-63.9^\circ=\color{red}{\bf 1.6^\circ}$$ Noting that your answer may differ from that since the graph is not perfectly accurate.
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