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Chapter 3: Problem 9

In placing a sample on a microscope slide, a glass cover is placed over a water drop on the glass slide. Light incident from above can reflect from the top and bottom of the glass cover and from the glass slide below the water drop. At which surfaces will there be a phase change in the reflected light?

Short Answer

Expert verified
There will be a phase change in the reflected light at the top of the glass cover and the top of the glass slide below the water drop, as light travels from air to glass and from water to glass, respectively. There will not be a phase change at the bottom of the glass cover, where light travels from glass to water.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the boundaries between different media

There are three boundaries where light can reflect in this scenario: 1) top of the glass cover, 2) bottom of the glass cover, and 3) top of the glass slide below the water drop. Each boundary is formed by a change in media as follows: - Top of glass cover: From air to glass - Bottom of glass cover: From glass to water - Top of glass slide below water drop: From water to glass
02

Understand phase change conditions

A phase change, or 180° phase shift, occurs during reflection when light goes from a medium with a lower refractive index (n) to a medium with a higher refractive index (n'). In this case, there will not be a phase change if the refractive index of the incoming medium is greater than the refractive index of the medium light is reflecting into.
03

Determine the refractive index of the media involved

Let's note the refractive indices of different media: - Refractive index of air (n_air) ≈ 1.00 - Refractive index of glass (n_glass) ≈ 1.5 (depending on the type of glass) - Refractive index of water (n_water) ≈ 1.333
04

Apply the conditions for phase change at each boundary to analyze it

Now, we will analyze the phase change occurrence at each boundary: 1. Top of glass cover: Light travels from air to glass - Since n_air < n_glass, there will be a phase change. 2. Bottom of glass cover: Light travels from glass to water - Since n_glass > n_water, there will be no phase change. 3. Top of the glass slide below water drop: Light travels from water to glass - Since n_water < n_glass, there will be a phase change.
05

Summarize results

Based on our analysis, we find that there will be a phase change in the reflected light at the top of the glass cover and the top of the glass slide below the water drop. There will not be a phase change at the bottom of the glass cover.

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