Question

Parallel light enters from medium 1 to medium 2 for both the cases A and B as shown in figure below. Which of the statement(s) is/are true for the refracted rays in medium 2?
(Refractive index of medium 2 is higher than the refractive index of medium 1)

• A. For case A refracted light rays are parallel.
• B. For case B refracted light rays are parallel.
• C. For case A refracted light rays are diverging.
• D. For case B refracted light rays are converging.

Answer 1

Answer: (A), (D)

The correct options are
A For case A refracted light rays are parallel.
D For case B refracted light rays are converging.

When light rays goes from rarer medium to denser medium, it bends towards the normal. If the light is parallel to the normal, it enters into the second medium without any deviation. In the first case the incident light is parallel to the normal so the refracted light will not deviate, it will be also parallel.


For the second case, the incoming light rays are not parallel. The rays will bend towards the normal as it moves from a rarer to a denser medium and converge as shown below.