Answer:
Thus, the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam hits only one of the mirrors = 70.6° to the normal
the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam hits each mirror only once = 62.2° to the normal
Explanation:
If the laser beam is directed at the top mirror from the left edge of the bottom mirror; i.e the laser beam is shone from the left end of the plane; The we have:
[tex]tan \theta = \frac{3}{17/2}\\\\[/tex] since the two plane mirror forma the 17.0 cm length and provided it hits only one mirror
[tex]tan \theta = \frac{3}{8.5}[/tex]
[tex]\theta = tan ^{-1} (\frac{3}{8.5})[/tex]
[tex]\theta = 19.4^0[/tex]
Thus; i = (90° - 19.4°)
i = 70.6° to the normal
Thus, the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam hits only one of the mirrors = 70.6° to the normal
b)
[tex]tan \theta = \frac{3}{17/3}\\\\[/tex] provided that the laser beam hits each mirror only once.
[tex]\theta = tan ^{-1} (\frac{3}{5.7})[/tex]
[tex]\theta = 27.8^0[/tex]
Thus; i = (90° - 27.8°)
i = 62.2° to the normal
Thus, the smallest angle of incidence with respect to the top mirror, such that the laser beam hits each mirror only once = 62.2° to the normal
