Q.

The refractive index of the material of a prism is 2 and the angle of the prism is 30°. One of the two refracting surfaces of the prism is made a mirror inwards, by silver coating. A beam of monochromatic light entering the prism from the other face will retrace its path (after reflection from the silvered surface) if its angle of incidence on the prism is                [2018, 2004, 1992]

1 60°  
2 45°  
3 30°  
4 zero  

Ans.

(2)

For retracing the path shown in the figure, the light ray should be incident normally on the silvered face. Applying Snell’s law at point M,

sinisin30°=21sini=2×12

sini=12  i.e., i=45°