Question

Statement I: Nicol prism is used to produce and analyse plane polarised light.
Statement II: Nicol prism reduces the intensity of light to zero.

• A. If both statements are true and statement II is the correct explanation of statement I.
• B. If both statements are true but statement II is not the correct explanation of statement I.
• C. If statement I is true but statement II is false.
• D. If both statements are false.

Answer 1

Answer: (C)

The Nicol prism is made of calcite crystal. When light is passed through calcite crystal, it breaks up into two rays (i) the ordinary ray which has its electric vector perpendicular to the principal section of the crystal and (ii) the extra ordinary ray which has its electric vector parallel to the principal section. The Nicol prism is made in such a way that it eliminates one of the two rays by total internal reflection, thus produces plane polarised light. It is generally found that the ordinary ray is eliminated and only the extra ordinary ray is transmitted through the prism. The Nicol prism consists of two calcite crystal cut at $68^{\circ }$ with its principal axis joined by a glue called Canada balsam.