Rankers Physics

Refraction by Prism: Practice Problem & Solution

A ray is incident at an angle of incidence i on one surface of a prism of small angle A and emerge normally from opposite surface. If the refractive index of the material of prism is $\mu$, the angle of incidence i is nearly equal to: (1989)
$\frac{A}{\mu}$
$\frac{A}{2\mu}$
$\mu A$
$\frac{\mu A}{2}$

Solution Explained:

To solve this problem, we apply the core principles of Refraction by Prism. Understanding the underlying formula is key to arriving at the correct answer below:

Since the ray emerges normally, the angle of emergence $e = 0$, which implies $r_2 = 0$. For a prism, $r_1 + r_2 = A$, so $r_1 = A$. Using Snell's law for small angles, $i = \mu r_1$, which gives the angle of incidence $i = \mu A$.

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