Question

Light traveling in air enters the flat side of a prism made of crown glass (n=1.52), as shown below. Will
the light pass through the other side of the prism or will it be totally internally reflected? Show all work.

Answer 1

Answer:

since the critical angle is 41.1 degree while the incident angle of light on the other face of the prism is 45 degree

so it will get reflected on the other face of the prism

Explanation:

As we know by the law of refraction

$n_1 sin\theta_1 = n_2 sin\theta_2$

here we know that

$n_1 = 1.52$

$\theta_1 = \theta_c$

for total internal reflection we know that

$n_2 = 1$

$\theta_2 = 90$

so we have

$1.52 sin\theta_c = 1$

$\theta_c = 41.1 degree$

since the critical angle is 41.1 degree while the incident angle of light on the other face of the prism is 45 degree

so it will get reflected on the other face of the prism