I have an infinite number of glass blocks stacked side by side. The first block has refractive index n1, the second n2 and so on, such that n1<n2...<n(infinity). I shine a light on the stack, what angle does the ray make to the normal on the last block?

This question tests your knowledge of the behaviour of light through different mediums. We know that when light travels from air through glass, it tends towards the normal. This is because the glass is denser than air ie: n(glass)>n(air). Our glass blocks increase in density infinitely, so, applying our knowledge from earlier, we can say that the light will tend towards the normal until the infinitieth block where its path is on the normal, so the angle to the normal is 0 degrees.

AC

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

A ball of mass 0.25 kg is travelling with a velocity of 1.2 m/s when it collides with an identical, stationary ball. After the collision, the two balls move together with the same velocity. How fast are they moving?


Electrons moving in a beam have the same de Broglie wavelength as protons in a separate beam moving at a speed of 2.8 × 10^4 m/s . What is the speed of the electrons?


What are the similarities and differences between an elastic and an inelastic collision?


A spherical object of mass 150kg is orbiting the Earth. The distance between the centre of the object and the centre of the Earth is 25,000m. What is the kinetic energy of the object?