Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 9: Problem 33

Explain why images seen through flat, smooth, uniform, plate-glass windows are undistorted.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: Images seen through flat, smooth, uniform, plate-glass windows are undistorted because the windows have a consistent refractive index, allowing light to pass through with minimal refraction and bend in a consistent way. The uniformity and flatness of the glass ensure that the light rays maintain their original paths and relative angles, preserving the image's integrity.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the properties of light

Light travels in straight lines through homogeneous media, which means that it doesn't change direction in a medium with consistent properties. However, when light passes from one medium to another, such as from air to glass, its direction might change due to a phenomenon called refraction. The amount by which light bends is determined by the refractive indices of the two media and the angle at which the light enters the new medium.
02

Introduce the concept of refraction

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a different refractive index. The refractive index is a measure of how much light slows down in the medium. When light passes from a medium with lower refractive index to one with a higher refractive index, it bends towards the normal (a line perpendicular to the surface), and when it passes from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index, it bends away from the normal. The angle of refraction depends on the refractive indices of the two media and the angle of incidence.
03

Describe the uniformity of plate-glass windows

Plate-glass windows are smooth, flat, and uniform, which means they have a consistent refractive index throughout. This uniformity ensures that any light passing through the glass will be refracted in the same way and by the same amount, regardless of where it enters the glass.
04

Explain why images are undistorted through plate-glass windows

Since plate-glass windows are flat, when light enters the glass perpendicular to the surface, the angle of incidence is zero degrees, and there is no refraction. As a result, the light travels straight through the glass without changing direction. Moreover, the uniform refractive index ensures that the light exits the glass and enters back into the air in a consistent manner, meaning that light rays entering the glass at the same angle will exit at the same angle, preserving the angles and relationships between light rays in the image. In other words, the image remains undistorted because the light rays are not scattered or bent in irregular ways as they pass through the glass.
05

Summarize the explanation

To recap, images seen through flat, smooth, uniform, plate-glass windows are undistorted because the windows have a consistent refractive index, allowing light to pass through with minimal refraction and bend in a consistent way. The uniformity and flatness of the glass ensure that the light rays maintain their original paths and relative angles, preserving the image's integrity.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

How is the magnification of a lens related to the object distance? How is it related to the image distance? What is the significance of the sign of the magnification? What is the significance of its magnitude (size)?

After hitting the ball into a water trap, a golfer looks into the pond and spies the ball within apparent easy reach. Reaching in to retrieve the ball, the golfer is surprised to find that it cannot be grasped even with a fully extended arm. Explain why the golfer was deceived into thinking that the location of the ball was close at hand.

Two light waves that have wavelengths of 700 and \(400 \mathrm{~nm}\) enter block of glass (from air) with the same angle of incidence. Which has the larger angle of refraction? Why? Would the answer be different if the light waves were going from glass into air:

Just before the Sun sets, a driver encounters sunlight reflecting off the side of a building. Will Polaroid sunglasses stop this glare? Why?

Would a prism made of diamond be better at dispersing light than one made of glass? Why or why not?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Electrostatics

Read Explanation

Magnetism

Read Explanation

Quantum Physics

Read Explanation

Oscillations

Read Explanation

Scientific Method Physics

Read Explanation

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free