A ray of light passes through an equilateral glass prism such that the angle of incidence (i) = angle of emergence (e). If the angle of emergence is 0.75 times the angle of prism, the refractive index of the prism will be
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → $\sqrt{2}$
Given:
Angle of prism, $A$
Angle of incidence = Angle of emergence = $i$
$e = i$ and $e = 0.75A$
For minimum deviation in a prism:
$\delta_m = 2i - A$
and $\sin i = \mu \sin \frac{A}{2}$
Given that $i = e = 0.75A$
Using Snell’s law relation at minimum deviation:
$\mu = \frac{\sin i}{\sin (A/2)}$
Substitute $i = 0.75A$:
$\mu = \frac{\sin (0.75A)}{\sin (A/2)}$
For an equilateral prism, $A = 60^\circ$:
$\mu = \frac{\sin (0.75 \times 60)}{\sin (30)}$
$\mu = \frac{\sin (45)}{0.5}$
$\mu = \frac{0.7071}{0.5} = 1.414$
Final Answer: $\mu = 1.414$