Question

What is a total reflecting prism? State three actions that it can produce. Draw a diagram to show one action of the total reflecting prism.

Answer 1

Total reflecting prism:

1. A total reflecting prism is defined as a prism with an angle of ${90}^o$ between its two refracting surfaces and the other two angles each equal to ${45}^o$.
2. When light is incident normally on any of the prism's faces, it suffers total internal reflection within the prism.

Three actions of production:

1. To deviate a light ray by ${90}^o$degrees.
2. Deviate a light ray through ${180}^o$.
3. Erect the inverted image without causing deviation in its path.

Diagram of total reflecting prism: