A ray of light is incident on a glass block as shown in the diagram above. If the reflected and the retracted rays are perpendicular to each other, what is the refractive index of the glass relative to air.?
Attached Figure / Diagram
A
1.60
B
1.58
C
1.52
D
1.50
E
1.48
Verified Correct Answer: A.
Physical Principles & Numerical Solution
Given: Angle of incidence i = 58º
Reflected and refracted rays are perpendicular.
Since the angle between the reflected ray and the normal is also 58º
\(r + 58^\circ = 90^\circ\)
\(r = 32^\circ\)
Using Snell's law:
\(n=\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}\)
n= \(\frac{\sin58^\circ}{\sin32^\circ}\)
n \(\approx \frac{0.848}{0.530}\) = 1.6
So, the refractive index of the glass relative to air is 1.6.
Source: Myschool Past Questions Archive (Record #25227)