What is the wavelength of the refracted ray when a …

Physics Questions

What is the wavelength of the refracted ray when a 600 nm wavelength light ray is incident in water (refractive index = 4/3) at an angle less than the critical angle?

Short Answer

The refracted wavelength of light when transitioning from one medium to another with a different refractive index can be calculated using the equation n‚CA¬∑Œª‚CA = n‚CC¬∑Œª‚CC. Given a refractive index of 1 for air and Œª‚CA of 600 nm, with n‚CC as 4/3, the refracted wavelength Œª‚CC is computed to be 450 nm.

Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: Understand Refraction and Wavelength Change

When light travels from one medium to another that has a different refractive index, it undergoes a change in wavelength while maintaining a constant frequency. The relationship between the refractive indices and wavelengths of the two media is described by the equation:

  • n1·≈í¬™1 = n2·≈í¬™2

Step 2: Identify Given Values

To determine the refracted wavelength, identify the known values in the equation: n1 is the refractive index of the first medium (commonly air, taken as 1), and λ1 is the incident wavelength (600 nm). For the second medium, given that n2 is 4/3, you can compute the values needed for the equation.

Step 3: Apply the Formula to Calculate the Wavelength

Substituting the given values into the formula yields:

  • 1(600) = (4/3)·≈í¬™2
  • Rearranging gives ≈í¬™2 = 600·(3/4)
  • Finally, calculate ≈í¬™2 = 450 nm

This value represents the wavelength of the light after it has been refracted through the second medium.

Related Concepts

Refractive Index

A dimensionless number that describes how fast light travels in a medium compared to the vacuum

Wavelength

The distance between successive peaks of a wave, typically measured in nanometers for light

Frequency

The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time, which remains constant during refraction.

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