A ray of green light enters a liquid from air, as shown in the figure. The angle 1 is 45 degrees and angle 2 is 30 degrees.
A ray of green light enters a liquid from air, as shown in the figure. The angle 1 is 45 degrees and angle 2 is 30 degrees.

a) Find the refractive index of liquid.
(b) Show in the diagram the path of the ray after it strikes the mirror and re-enters in air. Mark in the diagram the angles wherever necessary.
(c) Redraw the diagram if plane mirror becomes normal to the refracted ray inside the liquid. State the principle used.

Solution:

(a) Refractive index of the given liquid when light travels from air to liquid is –

a μl = sin i / sin r = sin 450 / sin 300

a μl = 1 / √2 / 1 / 2 = √2

a μl = 1.414

(b)

(c)

The principle of reversibility is in action here.