Physics, asked by Srutiv25, 1 year ago

derive expression for refractive index of prism


kvnmurty: using prism or waveform of light ? From which class or standard is this question?

Answers

Answered by Anonymous
67
LET speed of light in the material(prism) = a
speed of light in the air = c
refractive index= c/a
n_{1} sinA_{1} = n_{2} sinA_{2}
where n1,n2 are refractive index of two mediums
and A1,A2 are the angle made by light with the two surfaces.

kvnmurty: it is using the refraction angle through a prism. angle of minimum deviation. we cannot measure the speed of light in a medium.
kvnmurty: we need to use use angle of minimum deviation
Anonymous: yeah make my answer for edit i am adding that point
Anonymous: no check my answer
Anonymous: now*
Anonymous: plz mark as best
Answered by kvnmurty
36
there is derivation for refractive index in two ways. wavefront method. (light as a wave) and light traveling in a rectilinear motion as a ray.
The first method is shown in the first diagram.

Assume that light wave is incident on the boundary between two media at P. The wavefront is PQ. Angle of incidence is i. Let us consider the situation after a time interval t. The disturbance (wave) at P travels to Q' with velocity v' in medium2. The wave at point Q travels to point P' with velocity v in medium 1.

Using trigonometry we have sin i / sin r = μ = a constant = speed of light in medium 1 / speed of light in medium 2.
Please see diagram for proof.
=====================================================
Another method for refractive index is by using a glass prism.

The angle of deviation D = angle bent by emerging ray with respect to incident ray. D is the exterior angle of the triangle PP'Q'. It is sum of two interior angles.
See derivation in the diagram.

A + Q +90 + 90 = 360 and Q+r1+r2 = 180 
So A = r1 + r2

D = (i-r1) + ( e-r2) = (i  + e) - (r1 +r2)
D = i + e - A

Vary i and then e varies. At one point D is minimum and at that point i = e.

When D is minimum and = Dm, we see that i = e and r1 = r2 = r

D = 2 i - A
i = (D+A)/2
r = A/2          as r1+r2 = 2 r  = A.

μ = sin i / sin r  = [ sin (A+Dm)/2 ]  / (  sin A/2 )

we can do an experimental setup to measure A, Dm and create the conditions for minimum deviation of incident light. We can calculate the refractive index for the material that the prism is made of.

Refractive index is not property of Prism. it is of the material.



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