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Ray Optics: Refraction and Lenses

Refraction and Lenses: Audio Guided Solution

Problem Set RL8, Question 4:

Two flat plates – one made of glass (n = 1.69) and the other of acrylic (n = 1.48) rest on top of each other so as to form two parallel layers of different materials. A ray of light in air is incident on the top plate of glass and eventually emerges from the acrylic with an angle of refraction of 36.4°. Determine the angle of incidence in air.



 

Audio Guided Solution




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  • Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
  • Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., do = 24.2 cm; di= 16.8 cm; f = ???.
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  • Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.


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