A beam of monochromatic light in air strikes the flat surface of three different…
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Light — Reflection and Refraction · Light — Reflection and Refraction
Problem
A beam of monochromatic light in air strikes the flat surface of three different transparent liquids—labeled A, B, and C—at an identical incident angle of 35∘ measured from the normal. The measured indices of refraction for the liquids are:
Liquid A: n=1.25
Liquid B: n=1.40
Liquid C: n=1.33
Assume each interface is perfectly smooth and that dispersion can be neglected for the wavelength used.
(a) Without performing any numerical calculations, rank the three liquids according to the magnitude of the angle the transmitted beam makes with the normal inside each liquid (largest to smallest). Clearly state any reasoning principles you apply.
(b) For the pair of liquids that produce the greatest difference in bending, explain in qualitative terms why that difference occurs, referring explicitly to the relative optical densities and the corresponding change in light speed in the media.