An isosceles right-angled glass prism ( ) is used as a reflector.
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Problem
An isosceles right-angled glass prism (n=1.50) is used as a reflector.
(a) A narrow beam is incident normally on one of the equal faces when the prism is in air. After entering, it strikes the hypotenuse face. Will the beam suffer total internal reflection at the hypotenuse? Justify numerically.
(b) If the same prism is completely immersed in water (n=1.33) and the experiment is repeated, will total internal reflection still occur at the hypotenuse? Give a reason based on calculation.