Question:

In refraction, light waves are bent on passing from one medium to the second medium, because, in the second medium

Updated On: Jun 7, 2022
  • the frequency is different
  • the coefficient of elasticity is different
  • the speed is different
  • the amplitude is smaller
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

When a ray of light travels from one medium to the second medium, it bends. If first medium is rarer and second medium is denser, it bends towards the normal while if first medium is denser and second medium is rarer, it bends away from the normal. This bending is due to refractive index of second medium with respect to first.
The refractive index is related to the speed of light in the two media as below :
${ }_{1} \mu_{2}=\frac{\text { speed of light in first medium }}{\text { speed of light in second medium }}$
or speed of light in second medium
$=\frac{\text { speed of light in first medium }}{{ }_{1} \mu_{2}}$
where ${ }_{1} \mu_{2}$ is refractive index of second medium relative to the first medium.
Hence, we see that on passing through another medium speed of light changes.
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Concepts Used:

Ray Optics and Optical Instruments

Optics, deals with the determination of behaviour and the properties of light, along with its interactions with the matter and also with the instruments that are used to detect it.

Ray optics is also known as the geometrical optics and it is a branch of science which describes light propagation.

Reflection is the change in direction of light at an interface in-between two different media so that the wave-front returns into a medium from which it was originated.

Speed of light is the rate at which the light travels in free space.

A phenomenal change in image formed when the light is passed from one medium to another which is called Refraction.

Total Internal Reflection is the reflection of light when the light ray enters into a rarer medium from a denser medium and the angle of incidence is higher than the critical angle of incidence then that light ray will be reflected back to the denser medium.

Read More: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments