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John_Galt
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Homework Statement
Given an apex angle of 60 degrees and an index of refraction of 1.6; what is the smallest angle of incidence for which a ray can enter the left face of a prism and exit the right face?
Light refraction of a prism is the bending of light as it passes through a prism. Prisms are triangular-shaped glass or plastic objects that are able to refract light due to their shape and density.
When light enters a prism, it slows down and changes direction because the different angles of the prism cause the light to travel at different speeds. This change in speed results in the bending of light, also known as refraction.
The different colors in a rainbow are caused by the different wavelengths of light being refracted at different angles as they pass through a prism. This separation of colors is known as dispersion.
Yes, light can be refracted by any object that has different densities or is shaped in a way that causes the light to change direction. This is why we see objects as bent or distorted when viewed through water or a glass of water.
Light refraction through prisms is used in many scientific instruments, such as microscopes and telescopes, to manipulate and focus light. It is also used in photography and in the design of optical devices, such as lenses and mirrors.