Which of the following is true for a wave entering a denser medium?
Correct answer: C. Refracted towards normal
- A. Reflected away from normal
- B. Reflected towards normal
- C. Refracted towards normal
- D. Refracted away from normal
Explanation
When a wave enters a denser medium, its speed decreases. This change in speed causes the wave to bend towards the normal. This bending of the wave is called refraction.Mathematical form:The relationship between the angle of incidence (i), angle of refraction (r), and the refractive indices of the two media is given by Snell's law:n1 sin i = n2 sin rwhere n1 and n2 are the refractive indices of the first and second media, respectively.Since the refractive index of a denser medium is higher than that of a rarer medium, the angle of refraction (r) will be smaller than the angle of incidence (i). This means that the wave will bend towards the normal
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Light is studied through reflection, refraction, dispersion, interference, diffraction and polarization, linking ray behavior with its wave nature. Questions may involve mirrors, lenses, optical instruments, refractive index and image formation, while geometrical optics deals with rays and wave optics explains effects such as interference and diffraction.
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