Question

Three light rays red (R), green (G) and blue (B) are incident on a right angled prism ‘abc’ at face ‘ab’. The refractive indices of the material of the prism for red, green and blue wavelengths are 1.39, 1.44 and 1.47 respectively. Out of the three which colour ray will emerge out of face ‘ac’? Justify your answer. Trace the path of these rays after passing through face ‘ab’.

Answer 1

The blue ray will emerge out of the face ‘ac’.

The three light rays will go through ‘ab’ as the three are perpendicular to ‘ab’. However, when they will hit ‘ac’, they will refract with an angle of incidence of 45°.

Refractive indices for three light rays are given.

Red (R) = 1.39

Green (G) = 1.44

Blue (B) = 1.47

Total internal reflection takes place if the angle of incidence is such that

`sin r>I`

The refractive indices are from air to prism. To convert them from prism to air, we take their reciprocal.

`R = 1/(1.39) = mu_1`

`G = 1/(1.44) =mu_2`

`B1/(1.47) =mu_3`

For red:

`(sini)/(sinr) =mu`

`(sin45)/mu_1  = sinr`

sin r = 0.9828, which is less than 1

Thus, red light will pass through the face ‘ac’.

Similarly, for green:

`sinr = (sin45)/mu_2`

`1.01`

This is greater than 1. Therefore, it will not pass through, but reflect back in the same medium.

For blue:

`sinr = (sin45)/mu_3`

      `= 1.039`

Even this will reflect back because of total internal reflection.