Question

The bending of light when it travels from one transparent medium to another is called

• A. Reflection.
• B. Refraction.
• C. Deviation.
• D. Rectilinear propagation.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Refraction.

Explanation for the correct option

B: Refraction

1. A medium in which light travels faster is called an optically rarer medium.
2. On the other hand, a medium in which light travels slower is called an optically denser medium.
3. When light enters from an optically rarer medium to an optically denser medium, the speed of the light gets reduced. So it bends towards the normal.
4. Similarly, when light enters from an optically denser medium to an optically rarer medium, the speed of the light gets increased. So it bends away from the normal.
5. This bending of light when it passes from one transparent medium to another is called refraction.

Explanation for the incorrect option(s)

A: Reflection

It is the bouncing back of light when it strikes a polished surface.

C: Deviation

1. It is the change in direction of light during the motion.
2. The difference between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction is known as the angle of deviation.

D: Rectilinear propagation

It is the motion of light along a straight-line path.

Hence option B is the correct answer.