Question

A monochromatic light ray enters a glass sphere of radius 5 cm from air as shown in the figure. The incident ray is parallel to the diameter AOB with a separation of h = 4 cm. After entering the glass sphere, the ray crosses the diameter AOB at a certain point between center O and point B.

• mainly ask (d) and (e)

(d) If incident light is unpolarized, is the reflected light at point P perfectly polarized? If not, find another separation h between the incident ray and the diameter AOB, such that the reflected light is perfectly polarized.

(e) If the glass sphere is immersed in mineral oil, what is the minimum refractive index of the oil that the light ray does not intersect the diameter AOB before it leaves the sphere?