Numerical answer
An equilateral prism of apex angle is made of glass whose refractive index varies with wavelength as , with . A parallel beam containing the wavelengths and is incident on the prism from air, and each wavelength is rotated into its own position of minimum deviation. Find the difference, in degrees, between the minimum deviations of the two wavelengths. Give the answer correct to two decimal places.
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Answer: 1.53
The refractive indices are for and for . At minimum deviation the ray passes symmetrically, so , giving . For : . For : . The difference is . The shorter wavelength has the larger index and is deviated more. (Using the thin-prism formula would give , which is not valid for a prism.)
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