When passing from a low index of refraction medium to a high index of refraction medium which way does the refracted ray bend: toward the normal or away? Explain.

Question

Physics

Talon Hamilton

1 February, 09:04

When passing from a low index of refraction medium to a high index of refraction medium which way does the refracted ray bend: toward the normal or away? Explain.

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Answers (1)

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Meaghan · Answer 1

toward the normal

Explanation:

Light travels at different speed in different mediums.

Refractive index is equal to velocity of the light 'c' in empty space divided by the velocity 'v' in the substance.

Or,

n = c/v.

Light travels at a slower speed in water as compared to air because there are more number of interfering molecules in the path of the light in case of water as compared to liquid.

When a light travels from lower denser medium say water to higher denser medium say water, it bends towards the perpendicular (normal) as its speed reduces in that medium.