Advertisements
Advertisements
Question
Name the factors affecting the critical angle for the pair of media.
Advertisements
Solution
Factors affecting the critical angle are:
- Colour (or wavelength) of light: The refractive index of a transparent medium is most for violet light and least for red light; therefore, the critical angle for a pair of media is least for violet light and most for red light. Thus, the critical angle increases with increase in wavelength of light.
- Temperature: On increasing the temperature of the medium, its refractive index decreases, so the critical angle for that pair of media increases. Thus, the critical angle increases with increase in temperature
RELATED QUESTIONS
Write the relation between the refractive index and critical angle for a given pair of optical media?
(i) Define critical angle.
(ii) State one important factor which affects the critical angle of a given medium.
(a) A ray of monochromatic light enters glass PQRS as shown in the fig. Complete the path of ray till it emerges from the glass. (Critical angle of glass is 420).

(b) Draw diagram of a prism periscope.
(c) What are the advantages of total internal reflecting prism over plane mirror?
Name the factors affecting the critical angle for the pair of media.
Complete the following diagram to show the path of the ray of a single colour in the diagram as if enters in and emerges out of the prism. Mark the angles wherever necessary. (Critical angle for glass = 42°).

Solve Numerical example.
A monochromatic ray of light is incident at 37° on an equilateral prism of refractive index 3/2. Determine angle of emergence and angle of deviation. If angle of prism is adjustable, what should its value be for emergent rays to be just possible for the same angle of incidence?
The entire light is reflected back into the denser medium is called ______.
What is a mirage? How does it occur?
What are the examples of total internal reflection in nature?
State two differences between normal reflection and total internal reflection.
