Question
Physics Question on Reflection Of Light By Spherical Mirrors
A ray of light from a denser medium strikes a rarer medium at an angle of incidence i (see figure). The reflected and refracted rays make an angle of 90∘ with each other. The angles of reflection and refraction are r and r'. The critical angle is
A
sin−1(tan r)
B
sin−1(cot i)
C
sin−1(tan r')
D
tan−1(tan i)
Answer
sin−1(tan r)
Explanation
Solution
r+r′+990∘=180∘
\therefore \hspace15mm r'=90^\circ-r
Futher, \hspace15mm i=r
Applying Snell's law μDsini=μR sin r'
or μDsinr=μRsin(90∘−r)=μRcosr
∴muDmuR=tanr,θC=sin−1(μDμR)=sin−1(tanr)
∴ Correct option is (a).