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 692: 54

Answer

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Work Step by Step

$$\color{blue}{\bf [a]}$$ From the geometry of the given figure, we can see that the first refracted angle inside the prism is $$\theta =90^\circ -\gamma\tag 1$$ where, from the isosceles triangle, $$2\gamma+\alpha=180^\circ$$ So that $$\gamma=\dfrac{180^\circ-\alpha}{2}$$ Plugging into (1); $$\theta =90^\circ -\dfrac{180^\circ-\alpha}{2}=90^\circ-90^\circ+\dfrac{\alpha}{2}$$ Thus, $$\theta=\dfrac{\alpha}{2}\tag2$$ Applying Snell's law, $$n_{air}\sin\beta=n\sin\theta=n\sin\left(\frac{\alpha}{2}\right)$$ where $n_{air}=1$, thus $$\boxed{\beta=\sin^{-1}\left[ n\sin\left(\frac{\alpha}{2} \right) \right]}$$ $$\color{blue}{\bf [b]}$$ Solving the boxed formula above for $n$, and the prism is an equilateral triangle, so $\alpha=60^\circ$. $$n=\dfrac{ \sin\beta}{\sin\left(\dfrac{\alpha}{2}\right)} $$ Plugging the known; $$n=\dfrac{ \sin52.2^\circ}{\sin\left(\dfrac{60^\circ}{2}\right)}=\color{red}{\bf1.58} $$
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