Refractive Index of Prism Calculations

Medium Physics Optics

When light passes through a prism, it is refracted and dispersed into its constituent colors, creating a spectrum. The angle of minimum deviation for a specific wavelength of light through a prism can be experimentally determined. For a given prism, if yellow light (with a wavelength of approximately 580 nm) exhibits an angle of minimum deviation of 30 degrees, what can be inferred about the refractive index of the prism for that wavelength?

The refractive index can be calculated using Snell's law at the prism's surfaces.

The refractive index must be less than one.

The refractive index is the same for all wavelengths.

The refractive index can be calculated as n = sin((A + D) / 2) / sin(D/2), where A is the apex angle and D is the angle of minimum deviation.

Hint

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