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Chapter 30: Problem 3

Why do a diamond and an identically shaped piece of glass sparkle differently?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The difference in sparkle between a diamond and an identically shaped piece of glass is due to differences in their refractive indexes. The diamond, having a higher refractive index, refracts, or bends, light more than the glass. This results in an increased amount of internal reflection within the diamond, leading it to emit more light and appear more 'sparkly' than the glass.

Step by step solution

01

Understand the Phenomenon of Refraction

The first step is to understand what refraction is. Refraction occurs when light travels from one medium to another with a different refractive index. This causes the light to bend, or refract, at an angle. The Degree of refraction (and therefore the degree to which the light is bent) depends on the refractive index of the material. In general, the higher the refractive index, the more the light is refracted.
02

Compare the Refractive Indexes of Diamond and Glass

Diamond has a higher refractive index than glass. As a result, light entering a diamond is bent, or refracted, more than light entering a piece of glass.
03

Relate Refraction to Sparkling

The term 'sparkling' describes the process in which light is refracted and reflected within a material, creating a shimmering effect. When light enters a diamond, it is refracted at a greater angle than it would be in glass, and therefore reflects more within the diamond. Because of this increased internal reflection, more light is directed back towards the viewer, causing the diamond to appear more 'sparkly' than glass.

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