A beam of white light enters a prism of crown glass (n = 1.5) from air (n = 1.00). Once inside, the colors in the light disperse. The white light enters at an angle of 51 degrees. The blue light inside refracts at 19.5 degrees once inside the glass. What is the index of refraction of crown glass for blue light?

= 2.33

Explanation:

. According to snell's law:

n1sin i = n2sin r,

where n1 is refractive index of the medium in which incident ray is travelling, n2 is the refractive index of the medium in which refracted ray is travelling,

i is angle of incidence,

r is angle of refraction.

Given that,

n1 = 1,

i = 51 degrees,

r = 19.5 degrees.,

n2=?

So,

1*sin 51 = n2 sin 19.5

=> n2 = sin51 / sin19.5

= 2.33