Question

A light ray is passing from medium $\text{A}$ to $\text{B}$ and $\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}$ is greater than one. This implies:

• A. If light goes from medium $\text{A}$ to medium $\text{B}$, it will bend away from the normal.
• B. If light goes from medium $\text{A}$ to medium $\text{B}$, it will bend towards the normal.
• C. If light goes from medium $\text{A}$ to medium $\text{B}$, its speed reduces.
• D. If light goes from medium $\text{A}$ to medium $\text{B}$, its speed increases.

Answer 1

The correct option is B If light goes from medium $\text{A}$ to medium $\text{B}$, it will bend towards the normal.

According to Snell's law:
$\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}=\frac{v_1}{v_2}$
where $v_1$ = speed of light in medium $\text{A}$,
and $v_2$ = speed of light in medium $\text{B}$.

Hence, if the value is greater than $1$, it implies $v_1>v_2$

From the above, we can infer that medium $\text{B}$ is denser than medium $\text{A}$. So, if light travels from $\text{A}$ to $\text{B}$, it will bend towards the normal.