Question

hows a ray of light entering an equilateral prism, with all sides and angles equal to each other. the ray traverses the prism parallel to the bottom and emerges at the same angle at which it entered.

Answer 1

When a ray of light enters an equilateral prism, it undergoes total internal reflection and emerges at the same angle at which it entered.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a ray of light enters an equilateral prism, it undergoes refraction and emerges at the same angle at which it entered, but in a different direction.

The phenomenon is known as total internal reflection, which occurs due to the geometry and properties of the prism.

As the light enters the prism, it bends towards the normal due to the change in medium.

Inside the prism, it undergoes multiple total internal reflections as it encounters the boundaries between the air and the prism.

Finally, as it exits the prism, it bends away from the normal, resulting in emerging at the same angle as it entered.

This behavior is a result of the law of reflection and Snell's law, which govern the behavior of light when it interacts with surfaces and changes medium.