Light ray in prism with critical angle · CAP 2006 #15
Physics · optics
Problem
A light ray strikes a prism as shown in the drawing. The angles of the prism are 90°, 45°, and 45°. The critical angle of the prism material is 49°. What rays are the possible continuations of the incident ray?
[Figure: Prism diagram showing incident ray and possible exit rays labeled 1, 2, and 3]
(a) The ray 1 only.
(b) The ray 2 only.
(c) The ray 3 only.
(d) Both rays 1 and 3.
(e) Both rays 2 and 3.