A wide slab consisting of two media of refractive indices $n_1$ and $n_2$ is placed in air as shown in the figure. A ray of light is incident from medium $\mathrm{n}_1$ to $\mathrm{n}_2$ at an angle $\theta$, where $\sin \theta$ is slightly larger than $1 / n_1$. Take refractive index of air as 1 . Which of the following statement(s) is(are) correct?
Select ALL correct options:
A
The light ray enters air if $\mathrm{n}_2=\mathrm{n}_1$
B
The light ray is finally reflected back into the medium of refractive index $\mathrm{n}_1$ if $\mathrm{n}_2<\mathrm{n}_1$
C
The light ray is finally reflected back into the medium of refractive index $\mathrm{n}_1$ if $\mathrm{n}_2>\mathrm{n}_1$
D
The light ray is reflected back into the medium of refractive index n 1 if $\mathrm{n}_2=1$
✓ Correct! Well done.
✗ Incorrect. Try again or view the solution.
⚠ Partially correct. Some answers are missing.
Solution
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \sin \theta>\frac{1}{n_1} \text { (Given) } \\
& \text { i.e. } \sin \theta>\frac{1}{n_1} \\
& n_1 \sin \theta_1=n_2 \sin \theta_2 \\
& \sin \theta_2=\frac{n_1 \sin \theta_1}{n_2} \\
& \text { If } n_1=n_2 \text { then } \theta_2=\theta_1 \\
& n_2 \sin \theta_2=(1) \sin \theta_3 \\
& \sin \theta_3=n_2 \sin \theta_2 \\
& \sin \theta_3=n_1 \sin \theta_1 \\
& \sin \theta_1=\frac{\sin \theta_3}{n_1}>\frac{1}{n_1} \\
& \operatorname{Sin} \theta_3>1 \\
& \theta_3>90^{\circ}
\end{aligned}
$$
This means ray cannot enter air
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \sin \theta_2=\frac{\sin \theta_3}{n_2}>\frac{1}{n_2} \\
& \theta_2=90^{\circ}
\end{aligned}
$$
It means ray is reflected back in medium-2
for surface 1 - surface 2 interface
$$
\begin{aligned}
& n_2 \sin \theta_2=n_1 \sin \theta_1 \\
& \sin \theta_{2 c}=\frac{n_1}{n_2}
\end{aligned}
$$
$\theta_{2 \text { cile }}$; critical angle
for ray to enter medium-1
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \theta_2<\theta_{2 C} \\
& \sin \theta_2<\sin 2 \theta_C \\
& \frac{n_1}{n_2} \sin \theta_1<\frac{n_1}{n_2} \\
& \sin \theta_1<1
\end{aligned}
$$
$\theta_1<90^{\circ}$ which is true
Hence ray enters medium-1
For $\mathbf{n}_{\mathbf{2}}>\mathbf{n}_1$
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \frac{n_2}{n_1} \sin \theta_2>\frac{n_2}{n_1} \\
& \sin \theta_2>\frac{1}{n_2}
\end{aligned}
$$
For surface 2 - air interface
$$
\begin{aligned}
& n_2 \sin \theta_2=\sin \theta_3 \\
& \sin \theta_2=\frac{\sin \theta_3}{n_2}>\frac{1}{n_2} \\
& \theta_2>90
\end{aligned}
$$
It means ray is reflected back in medium - 2
$\mathrm{n}_2 \sin \theta_2=\mathrm{n}_1 \sin \theta_1$
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \sin \theta_1=\frac{\mathrm{n}_2}{\mathrm{n}_1} \sin \theta_2 \\
& \sin \theta_{2 \mathrm{C}}=\frac{\mathrm{n}_1}{\mathrm{n}_2} \cdot \theta_{2 \mathrm{C}} \rightarrow \text { critical angle }
\end{aligned}
$$
For ray to enter medium - 1
$$
\begin{aligned}
& \theta 2<\theta 2 c \\
& \sin \theta 2<\sin \theta 2 c \\
& \frac{n_1}{n_2} \sin \theta_1<\frac{n_1}{n_2} \\
& \sin \theta_1<1
\end{aligned}
$$
$\theta 1<90^{\circ}$, which is true
Hence ray enters medium - 1
Let $\mathrm{n}_2=1$
$$
\begin{aligned}
& n_1 \sin \theta_1=n_2 \sin \theta_2 \\
& n_2=1 \\
& n_1 \sin \theta_1=\sin \theta_2 \\
& \sin \theta_1=\frac{\sin \theta_2}{n_1}>\frac{1}{n_2} \\
& \sin \theta_2>1 \Rightarrow \theta_2>90^{\circ}
\end{aligned}
$$
ray is reflected back in medium-
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