(a) At the end of Example 25.4, it was stated that the critical angle for light going...

Question:

(a) At the end of Example 25.4, it was stated that the critical angle for light going from diamond to air is 24.4°. Verify this. 

(b) What is the critical angle for light going from zircon to air?


Data From Example 25.4

What is the critical angle for light traveling in a polystyrene (a type of plastic) pipe surrounded by air?

Strategy

The index of refraction for polystyrene is found to be 1.49 in Figure 25.14, and the index of refraction of air can be taken to be 1.00, as before. Thus, the condition that the second medium (air) has an index of refraction less than the first (plastic) is satisfied, and the equation θc = sin-1 (n21) can be used to find the critical angle θc. Here, then, n2 = 1.00 and n1 = 1.49.


Data given in Figure 25.14

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