A hollow right triangular prism filled with air submerged in water and sits on a

Question

A hollow right triangular prism filled with air submerged in water and sits on a horizontal base. The prism has three vertical sides a, b, and c. A narrow horizontal light beam from a laser travels through water and then passes through slanted side c of the prism and out the vertical back side a.

The light exits the vertical back side  of the prism and is now traveling

a. parallel to the original direction. b. bent outward of the side b of the prism relative to the original direction. c. along the identical path that it entered the prism. d. bent toward the side b of the prism relative to the original direction.

Explanation / Answer

Use Snell' law

In this case, the angle of incidnce is 45 degrees with normal to the surface of prism

sin i / sin r = g / w = ( 3/2 ) / ( 4/ 3) = 9 /8

sin 45 / sin r = 9/8

Solve for angle of refraction: r = 38.9o

This is less than the critical angle, ( For the water-air boundary, the critical angle is 48.6-degrees.)

In this situation, total internal reflection takes place.

Thus, the ray bent outward of the side b of the prism relative to the original direction.

Thus, the correct option is ( b )

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