Question

What is meant by optically denser and optically rarer media? Give one example of each such medium.

Answer 1

1. optically denser mediums are a medium in which the speed of light decreases. The denser medium has more density hence, the light travels slower in the denser medium. The refractive index of a denser medium is higher. For example, glass
2. The optically rarer medium are those in which the speed of light either does not change or decreases negligibly. The density of such medium is less hence, the speed of light does not get affected. The refractive index of the rarer medium is lower around 1. For example. air