Physics

Physics

Problem

A 45∘45^{\circ}–45∘45^{\circ}–90∘90^{\circ} glass prism is used as a mirror in binoculars. Light enters perpendicularly to one of the 45∘45^{\circ} faces, but manufacturing tolerances allow the incident rays to deviate by up to 3.0∘3.0^{\circ} from that normal. Find the minimum refractive index the prism material must have so that every such ray undergoes total internal reflection at the hypotenuse face.

Browse the problem library