Two plane mirrors are facing each other. They are parallel, 3.00 cm apart, and 1
ID: 2144049 • Letter: T
Question
Two plane mirrors are facing each other. They are parallel, 3.00 cm apart, and 17.0 cm in length, as the drawing indicates. A laser beam is directed at the top mirror from the left edge of the bottom mirror. What is the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam (a) hits only one of the mirrors and (b) hits each mirror only once?
Two plane mirrors are facing each other. They are parallel, 3.00 cm apart, and 17.0 cm in length, as the drawing indicates. A laser beam is directed at the top mirror from the left edge of the bottom mirror. What is the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam (a) hits only one of the mirrors and (b) hits each mirror only once?Explanation / Answer
Assuming the laser is shone from just clear of the left edge of the bottom mirror,
a) Tan L = (O/A) = (3/8.5) = .3529. L = 19.43 degrees. (90 - 19.43) = 70.57 deg. to the normal.
b) Tan L = (3/{17/3}) = (3/5.667) = .5294. L = 27.9 degrees. (90 - 27.9) = 62.1 deg. to the normal.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.