Question

A light ray passes from a material of low refractive index to one of high refractive index. Which of the pairs of quantities listed below describes the light ray as it strikes and passes through the interface between the two materials? Match the descriptions below with the statement that best describes the situation
The light ray inside the material with the higher index of refraction bends toward the normal

• A. The frequency of the wave increases
• B. The frequency of the wave decreases
• C. The velocity of the wave increases
• D. The velocity of the wave decreases
• E. Interference from reflected waves causes the light ray to refract

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

The velocity of the wave decreases

Since $v=\frac{c}{\mu }$, the velocity of the wave is lesser in the medium with higher refractive index.
Hence the velocity of wave decreases as it moves from medium of higher refractive to that of lower refractive index.