Calculate the angle of minimum deviation of a 60o prism of a refractive index 1.5 [sin-10.75 = 49o]
A. 38.00
o B. 19.47
oC. 16.25
oD. 49
o Correct Answer: A
Explanation
For a refractive index () = \(\frac{\sin\frac{1}{2} (A + D)}{\sin\frac{1}{2}A}\)
D = angle of minimum deviation
A = refractive angle of the prism
1.5 = \(\frac{\sin\frac{1}{2} (60 + D)}{\sin\frac{1}{2} \times 60}\)
1.5 = \(\frac{\sin\frac{1}{2} (60 + D)}{\sin 30}\)
Sin \(\frac{1}{2}\) (60 + D) = 1.5 * Sin 30
Sin \(\frac{1}{2}\) (60 + D) = 0.75
\(\frac{1}{2}\) (60 + D) = Sin-1 (0.75)
but Sin-1 (0.75) = 49o
\(\frac{1}{2}\) (60 + D) = 49
60 + D = 2 * 49 = 98o
D = 98o - 60o
D = 38o