Engineering Physics Questions and Answers – Nicol Prism

This set of Engineering Physics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Nicol Prism”.

1. The working of Nicole prism is based on the phenomenon of ____________
a) Refraction
b) Reflection
c) Diffraction
d) Double Refraction
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: The working of Nicol Prism is based on the phenomenon of Double Refraction. When a beam of unpolarized light passes through a doubly refracting crystal such as calcite, it splits into two plane-polarized beams.

2. In the O-ray is eliminated by ____________
a) Refraction
b) Total internal reflection
c) Dispersion
d) Transmission
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In a Nicol Prism, the O-ray is eliminated by total internal reflection while the E-ray is transmitted through the Nicol Prism. Thus, a plane polarized light with vibrations in the principal section of the crystal is obtained.

3. In the Nicol Prism experiment, the calcite crystal length is x times its breadth. What is x?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 1/2
d) 1/3
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: In this experiment, a calcite crystal whose length is three times its breadth is taken. The calcite crystal is the doubly refracting crystal that splits the unpolarized light into two plane-polarized beams.
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4. For E-ray, the Canada balsam layer is optically rarer.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: Canada Balsam is a transparent substance, whose refractive index lies between the refractive indices of O-ray and E-ray. Thus, for an E-ray, it is optically denser while for an O-ray it is optically rarer.

5. The critical angle for O-ray with respect to Canada balsam is ___________
a) 45.7°
b) 57°
c) 59°
d) 69°
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: We know Canada balsam is optically denser than calcite for O-ray. The refractive index for O-ray is 1.069 while the critical angle turns out to be 69°.

6. The prism does not act as a polarizer when _____________
a) The angle of incidence is less than the critical angle for the O-ray
b) The angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle for the O-ray
c) The angle of incidence is less than the critical angle for the E-ray
d) The angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle for the E-ray
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: If the angle of incidence is less than the critical angle for the O-ray, it is not reflected and is transmitted through the prism and so the prism does not act as a polarizer.

7. Nicol Prism can act as a polarizer as well as an analyzer.
a) True
b) False
View Answer

Answer: a
Explanation: Nicol Prism can be used as a Polarizer as well as an analyzer. Thus, it can polarize an unpolarized light and also detect a plane-polarized light.
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8. What should be the maximum angle between the extreme rays of the incident beam for the Nicol prism to work perfectly as a polarizer?
a) 25°
b) 28°
c) 34°
d) 43°
View Answer

Answer: b
Explanation: The angle between the extreme rays of the incident beam should be less than 28o so as to avoid the total internal reflection of E-ray and the transmission of O-ray.

9. The combination as shown in the figure is called as _____________
The combination as shown in the figure is called as polariscope acts as analyzer
a) Polarimeter
b) Polaroid
c) Polariscope
d) Polarizer and Analyzer
View Answer

Answer: c
Explanation: In the figure, two Nicol Prisms are placed together. One acts as a polarizer while the other acts as an analyzer. This combination is called Polariscope.
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10. In polariscope, if the two prisms are crossed, what would be the intensity of the transmitted polarized beam?
a) Io
b) 2 Io
c) 1/2 Io
d) 0
View Answer

Answer: d
Explanation: As the two prisms are crossed, the angle between the principal sections of the two prisms would be 90°. Thus, according to Malus law, the intensity of the transmitted bean would be zero. Thus, no light would come out.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Engineering Physics.

To practice all areas of Engineering Physics, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.

If you find a mistake in question / option / answer, kindly take a screenshot and email to [email protected]

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Manish Bhojasia - Founder & CTO at Sanfoundry
Manish Bhojasia, a technology veteran with 20+ years @ Cisco & Wipro, is Founder and CTO at Sanfoundry. He lives in Bangalore, and focuses on development of Linux Kernel, SAN Technologies, Advanced C, Data Structures & Alogrithms. Stay connected with him at LinkedIn.

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