Question

What is the chemical composition of Nicol prism?
${\text{(a) A}}{{\text{l}}_2}{{\text{O}}_3} \\
  ({\text{b}}){\text{ CaS}}{{\text{O}}_4} \\
  ({\text{c}}){\text{ CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3} \\
  ({\text{d}}){\text{ N}}{{\text{a}}_3}{\text{Al}}{{\text{F}}_6} \\
$

Answer 1

Hint: For determining the chemical composition of Nicol prism first, we have to see the basic components (or composition) from which Nicol prism is made and what are the functions of Nicol prism. This will help to get the right answer.

Complete answer:
The basic functionality of Nicol prism is that it is used to convert any un-polarized light into a plane polarized light.
Therefore, we have to see the basic components in the construction of the Nicol prism. The construction of the Nicol prism is done using a material known as Calcite or Iceland spar. The Calcite is a material, which is made up of ${\text{CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3}$. When the Calcite is used another material known as Canada balsam is added at the center of the two rectangular sheets in order to make it as a prism. When an unpolarized light enters on one end of the prism, the light is converted into plane polarized light at the other end.
Therefore, from the above theory we saw that the answer of the above question is option no 3 i.e. ${\text{CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3}$.
(c) ${\text{CaC}}{{\text{O}}_3}$


Note: The Nicol prism is a prism, which is used to convert un-polarized light into plane polarized light. The Nicol prism converts the un-polarized light into two parts. One of the parts is known as E-ray while the other is known as O-ray. The refractive index for the E-ray is 1.48 while the refractive index for the O-ray is 1.65. Due to this property of Calcite, it is used for the construction of Nicol prism.