Lesson plan
Minimum deviation
In a prism, the angle of deviation ( ) decreases with increase in the angle of incidence ( ) up to a particular angle. This angle of incidence, where the angle of deviation in a prism is minimum, is called the minimum deviation position of the prism, and that very deviation angle is known as the minimum angle of deviation (denoted by , , or ). The angle of minimum deviation is related to the refractive index as: n_{21} = \dfrac{\sin \left(\dfrac{A + D_{m}}{2}\right)}{\sin \left(\dfrac{A}{2}\right)} This is useful to calculate the refractive index of a material. Rainbows and haloes occur at minimum deviation. Also, a thin prism is always set at minimum deviation.
Article summary
In a prism, the angle of deviation ( ) decreases with increase in the angle of incidence ( ) up to a particular angle. This angle of incidence, where the angle of deviation in a prism is minimum, is called the minimum deviation position of the prism, and that very deviation angle is known as the minimum angle of deviation (denoted by , , or ). The angle of minimum deviation is related to the refractive index as: n_{21} = \dfrac{\sin \left(\dfrac{A + D_{m}}{2}\right)}{\sin \left(\dfrac{A}{2}\right)} This is useful to calculate the refractive index of a material. Rainbows and haloes occur at minimum deviation. Also, a thin prism is always set at minimum deviation.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
Bibliography
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.