Question

What do you understand by the term optical medium? What are its kinds? Give two examples of each kind.

Answer 1

1. Anything which allows light energy to pass through it is called an optical medium.
2. Glass, diamond, and vacuum are some examples of mediums through which light can travel.

Kinds of optical medium:

1. Homogenous Medium: An optical medium which has a uniform composition throughout, is called a homogenous medium. For example, glass diamond, distilled water, a sheet of clear plastic, vacuum, pure alcohol.
2. Heterogeneous Medium: An optical medium which has different compositions at different points, is called a heterogeneous medium. For example, air, muddy water, fog, mist, clouds, smoke, etc.
3. Transparent Medium allows most of the light energy to pass through it. For example glass, air, vacuum.
4. Translucent Medium partially allows the light energy to pass through it. For example, ground glass, muddy water, smoke, dust-filled air.
5. Opaque Bodies do not allow light energy to pass through them. For example, bricks, stones, wood.