Question

The diagrams (a) and (b) in Fig. 4.34 below show the refraction of a ray of light of single colour through a prism and a parallel sided glass slab respectively.

(i) In each diagram, label the incident, refracted, emergent rays and the angle of deviation.

(ii) In what way the direction of emergent ray in the two cases differs with respect to the incident ray? Explain your answer.

Answer 1

(i)

(ii) The incident ray is the ray of light entering the optical mediums. The refracted ray in the prism is the straight line passing through the prism and the refracted ray in the glass slab is the ray inside the glass slab. The emergent ray in both the cases is the ray of light that is coming out of the prism and the glass slab respectively.