Fundamentals of Physics Extended (10th Edition)

Published by Wiley
ISBN 10: 1-11823-072-8
ISBN 13: 978-1-11823-072-5

Chapter 33 - Electromagnetic Waves - Problems - Page 1008: 83a

Answer

Since the whole spectrum of colors is refracted, the refracted light is white.

Work Step by Step

We can use Snell's law to find $\theta_r$, the angle of refraction of red light: $n_2~sin~\theta_r = n_1~sin~\theta_1$ $sin~\theta_r = \frac{n_1~sin~\theta_1}{n_2}$ $\theta_r = sin^{-1}~(\frac{n_1~sin~\theta_1}{n_2})$ $\theta_r = sin^{-1}~(\frac{1.456~sin~42.00^{\circ}}{1.00})$ $\theta_r = 77.0^{\circ}$ We can use Snell's law to find $\theta_b$, the angle of refraction of blue light: $n_2~sin~\theta_b = n_1~sin~\theta_1$ $sin~\theta_b = \frac{n_1~sin~\theta_1}{n_2}$ $\theta_b = sin^{-1}~(\frac{n_1~sin~\theta_1}{n_2})$ $\theta_b = sin^{-1}~(\frac{1.470~sin~42.00^{\circ}}{1.00})$ $\theta_b = 79.6^{\circ}$ Since the whole spectrum of colors is refracted, the refracted light is white.
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