The index of refraction for silicate flint glass is 1.66 for violet light that has a wavelength in air equal to 400 nm and 1.61 for red light that has a wavelength in air equal to 700nm. a ray of 700-nm wavelength red light and a ray of 400-nm wavelength violet light both have angles of refraction equal to 30 degrees upon entering the glass from the air.

(a) which is greater, the angle of incidence of the ray of red light or the angle of incidence of the ray of violet light? explain your answer.

(b) what is the difference betweeen the angles of incidence of the two rays?

(a) Angle of incidence for violet is more than the angle of incidence for red

(b) 2.4°

Explanation:

refractive index for violet , v = 1.66

refractive index for red, nR = 1.61

wavelength for violet, λv = 400 nm

wavelength for red, λR = 700 nm

Angle of refraction, r = 30°

(a) Let iv be the angle of incidence for violet.

Use Snell,s law

nv = Sin iv / Sin r

1.66 = Sin iv / Sin 30

Sin iv = 0.83

iv = 56°

Use Snell's law for red

nR  = Sin iR / Sin r  

where, iR be the angle of incidence for red

1.61 = Sin iR / Sin 30

Sin iR = 0.805

iR = 53.6°

So, the angle of incidence for violet is more than red.

(b) iv - iR = 56° - 53.6° = 2.4°