The index of refraction n of a transparent material is the ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in the material. Some common materials and their indices of refraction are air (1.00), water (1.33), and glass (1.50). Triangular prisms are often used to measure the index of refraction based on the formula

For the prism shown in the figure, α = 60°.

(a) Write the index of refraction as a function of cot(θ / 2).
(b) Find θ for a prism made of glass.

Transcribed Image Text:

sin п 3 sin 2 Air Light Prism