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JEE Advanced 2026Paper 2
Exam
JEE Advanced
Year
2026
Paper
Paper 2
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Wave Optics

JEE Advanced 2026 · Paper 2 · Physics · Wave Optics

As shown in the figure, a ray AB of unpolarized light enters from...

As shown in the figure, a ray ABAB of unpolarized light enters from water of refractive index nw=4/3n_w = 4/3 into a medium of refractive index np=4/3n_p = 4/\sqrt{3} after passing through a glass plate of refractive index ng=1.5n_g = 1.5 and a layer of water. At a particular incident angle ii the reflected ray CDCD is polarized in the direction as shown in the figure. The value of ii (in degrees) is:
As shown in the figure, a ray AB of unpolarized light enters from water of refractive index n_w = 4/3 into a medium of

Correct answer

0

Step-by-step solution

Let the angle of incidence at the first interface (water to glass) be ii.

By applying Snell's law at the successive parallel interfaces, we can find the angle of incidence at the interface where the reflection occurs (water to medium npn_p).

For the first interface (water to glass):
nwsin⁡i=ngsin⁡r1n_w \sin i = n_g \sin r_1

For the second interface (glass to water):
ngsin⁡r1=nwsin⁡r2n_g \sin r_1 = n_w \sin r_2

From the above two equations, we get:
nwsin⁡i=nwsin⁡r2  ⟹  r2=in_w \sin i = n_w \sin r_2 \implies r_2 = i

Thus, the angle of incidence at the third interface (water to medium npn_p) is also ii.

The problem states that the reflected ray is completely polarized with its electric field perpendicular to the plane of incidence (indicated by the dots on ray CDCD). This complete polarization upon reflection occurs when the light is incident at Brewster's angle θB\theta_B.

According to Brewster's law for the interface between water and medium npn_p:
tan⁡θB=npnw\tan \theta_B = \dfrac{n_p}{n_w}

Since the angle of incidence at this interface is ii, we have i=θBi = \theta_B. Substituting the given refractive indices:
tan⁡i=4/34/3\tan i = \dfrac{4/\sqrt{3}}{4/3}

tan⁡i=33=3\tan i = \dfrac{3}{\sqrt{3}} = \sqrt{3}

Therefore, the angle of incidence is:
i=60∘i = 60^\circ

Answer: 6060
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