I have an infinite number of glass blocks stacked side by side. The first block has refractive index n1, the second n2 and so on, such that n1<n2...<n(infinity). I shine a light on the stack, what angle does the ray make to the normal on the last block?

This question tests your knowledge of the behaviour of light through different mediums. We know that when light travels from air through glass, it tends towards the normal. This is because the glass is denser than air ie: n(glass)>n(air). Our glass blocks increase in density infinitely, so, applying our knowledge from earlier, we can say that the light will tend towards the normal until the infinitieth block where its path is on the normal, so the angle to the normal is 0 degrees.

AC
Answered by Alex C. Physics tutor

2063 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is gravitational potential energy? Why is it negative?


A car of mass m travelling with a velocity v comes to rest over a distance d in time t. The constant frictional force acting on the car while it is braking is found using:


A bungee jumper of mass 160kg falls from a cliff. The bungee cord has a natural length of 5.0m and a stiffness constant of 3.0N/m. The air resistance is a constant force of 4.0N, what's the speed of the jumper when the total length of cord is 5.9m?


Describe simple harmonic motion (SHM). Sketch a displacement-time graph for a particle undergoing SHM and the corresponding velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs. Use these graphs to describe the relationship between accleration and displacment.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning