Recent Lessons

Show all results for ""

Feature Overview

Ace your exams with our all-in-one platform for creating and sharing quizzes and tests.

Quizzes

Create quizzes and tests automatically from your content using AI.

Flashcards

Automatically turn your notes into digital flashcards.

Share, Export & Embed

Share with classmates or export to Excel and your learning management system.

Stats & Reporting

Auto-grading quizzes and tests with detailed stats and reports.

Mobile Apps

The smarter way to study – wherever you are.

Pricing

Search...

5 Questions

0 Views

Nicol Prism Principles and Applications

Choose a study mode

Play Quiz

Study Flashcards

Spaced Repetition

Chat to lesson

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the Nicol prism in optics?

To produce plane-polarized light (correct)

To amplify light

To reflect light without change in polarization

To disperse light into its constituent colors

What happens to the ordinary ray when it encounters the Canada balsam layer in the Nicol prism?

It is reflected but exits the prism

It merges with the extraordinary ray

It is transmitted and becomes plane-polarized

It is totally internally reflected and does not exit (correct)

Which of the following statements is true regarding the refractive indices of the rays in the Nicol prism?

The ordinary ray has a lower refractive index than the extraordinary ray (correct)

Both rays have the same refractive index in the crystal

The refractive index of the extraordinary ray is unaffected by the Canada balsam

The ordinary ray has a higher refractive index than the extraordinary ray

What materials are used in the construction of the Nicol prism?

<p>Calcite crystal and Canada balsam</p> Signup and view all the answers

The angles of a Nicol prism are 72° and which other angle?

<p>108°</p> Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Nicol Prism

A Nicol prism is an optical device that produces plane-polarized light.
It can act as both a polarizer and an analyzer.
It's made of calcite crystal.

Principle of Nicol Prism

It exhibits double refraction.
The crystal is cut into two halves along the diagonal.
The two halves are joined using Canada balsam.
The angles of the crystal are 72° and 108°.
The length of the prism is three times its width.

Unpolarized Light and Nicol Prism

Unpolarized light passes through a Nicol prism.
The light travels in different directions with varying speeds.

Refractive Indices

The refractive index of the ordinary ray in the crystal is 1.658.
The refractive index of the extraordinary ray in the crystal is 1.486.
The refractive index of Canada Balsam is 1.523.

Total Internal Reflection

The ordinary ray undergoes total internal reflection at the Canada Balsam layer.
This prevents the ordinary ray from emerging.

Transmission of Extraordinary Ray

The extraordinary ray passes through the crystal.
The extraordinary ray is plane-polarized.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of Nicol prisms in this quiz. Learn about their construction, the principles of double refraction, and the behavior of polarized light. Test your understanding of the refractive indices and total internal reflection associated with this optical device.