The refractive index of the material of a prism is 2 and the angle of the prism is 30 . One of the two refracting surfaces of the prism is made a mirror inwards, by silver coating. A beam of monochromatic light entering the prism from the other face will retrace its path (after reflection from the silvered surface) if its angle of incidence on the prism is
- 60
- 45
- 30
- zero
Answer
(2) 45
Solution
To retrace its path, the ray must fall normally on the silvered face: r2 = 0
r1 + r2 = A
r1 = 30
Snell's law at the first face:
i = r1 = 2 12 = 1 2
i = 45
Answer: (2)