Using the above diagram as a guide, carry out the following experiment:
Place the equilateral triangular glass prism on the drawing paper. Trace the outline ABC of the prism.
remove the prism. Draw a line NO such that it makes an angle i = 25º with the normal at point O on side AB
fix two pins \(R_1\) and \(R_2\) vertically on line N0. Replace the prism on its outline;
place the reflecting surface of the plane mirror in contact with the face AC of the prism;
looking through the face BC of the prism, fix two other pins at \(R_3\) and \(R_4\) such that the pins appear to be in a straight line with the images of the pins at \(R_1\) and \(R_2\);
remove the prism, the mirror, and the pins. Draw a line to join points \(R_4\) and \(R_3\)
produce line \(R_4\)\(R_3\) to meet line NO produced at T;
measure and record the angle \(\theta\) at T and e at D;
repeat the procedure for four other values of i = 30^\circ, 35^\circ, 40^\circ, and 45^\circ. In each case, measure and record the corresponding values of \(\theta\) and e. Tabulate your readings;
plot a graph of e on the vertical axis and \(\theta\) on the horizontal axis;
evaluate k = s\(^{-1}\)
state two precautions taken to ensure accurate results. [Attach your traces to your answer booklet]
(b)i. State four characteristics of the image of an object formed by a plane mirror.
ii. State two Conditions necessary for total internal reflection to occur in a medium.
Attached Figure / Diagram
Verified Correct Answer: .
Physical Principles & Numerical Solution
Table of values (observation)
S/N
i^\circ
\(\theta\)^\circ
eº
1
25
62
28
2
30
54
32
3
35
45
35
4
40
40
37
5
45
30
41
Slope (s) = \(\frac{\bigtriangleup {e}}{\bigtriangleup {\theta}}\) = \(\frac{49 - 20}{83 - 10} = \frac{29}{73}\) = 0.397
Intercept (c) = 53
Evaluation: \(K_1\) = S\(^{-1}\) = 0.397\(^{-1}\) = 2.519
Precautions;
l ensured neat traces/sharp pencil (shown)
I ensured mirror is firmly attached to prism
I ensured pins are reasonably spaced (about 4 cm)
l avoided parallax error in reading protractor.
(b)i. Characteristics of images formed by a plane mirror
- Same size as object
- Same distance from mirror as object
- Virtual
- Erect
- Laterally inverted.
ii. For total internal reflection of light to occur:
(a)Light must be travelling from a more dense to a less dense medium
(b)Angle of incidence in the denser medium must be greater than the critical angle
Source: Myschool Past Questions Archive (Record #60041)