A certain kind of glass has n_blue = 1.650 for blue light and n_red = 1.610 for red light.If a beam of white light (containing all colors)is incident at an angle of 60°,what is the angle between the red and blue light inside the glass? A) 0.90° B) 0.88° C) 59° D) 0.27° E) 89°

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use Snell's law to determine the angles of refraction for the red and blue light inside the glass.

For the blue light: 
n1*sin(60°) = nblue*sin(θblue) 
1*sin(60°) = 1.650*sin(θblue) 
θblue = 23.70°

For the red light: 
n1*sin(60°) = nred*sin(θred) 
1*sin(60°) = 1.610*sin(θred) 
θred = 24.58°

The angle between the red and blue light inside the glass is: 
θblue - θred = 23.70° - 24.58° = 0.88°

Therefore, the answer is B.

A Certain Kind of Glass Has Nblue = 1

A Certain Kind of Glass Has N_blue = 1