A ray of light consisting of blue light (wavelength 480 nm)and red light (wavelength 670 nm)is incident on a thick piece of glass at 80°.What is the angular separation between the refracted red and refracted blue beams while they are in the glass? (The respective indices of refraction for the blue light and the red light are 1.4636 and 1.4561.)
A) 0.27°
B) 0.33°
C) 0.36°
D) 0.46°
E) 0.54°

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The angular separation can be calculated using Snell's law, which states $n_1 \sin(\theta_1) = n_2 \sin(\theta_2)$. Given the indices of refraction and the incident angle, we can find the angles of refraction for both colors of light inside the glass. The difference between these angles gives the angular separation. The smaller index of refraction for red light means it bends less than blue light, which has a higher index of refraction. Calculating these angles and their difference yields an angular separation close to 0.27°.

A Ray of Light Consisting of Blue Light (Wavelength 480