Question

When light enters from medium P to medium Q, it is given that the value of $\frac{\text{sin i}}{\text{sin r}}$ is less than 1 which means:

• A. P is optically denser than Q
• B. Q is optically denser than P
• C. P and Q have same optical density
• D. P and Q are opaque.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

P is optically denser than Q

Given: $\left(\frac{sini}{sinr}\right)$ < 1

$\Rightarrow$ sin i < sin r
$\Rightarrow$ Angle of incidence < Angle of refraction.

It means that when light ray travels from medium P to medium Q, the ray bends away from the normal.

We know that when light ray travels from denser to rarer medium, it bends away from the normal.

Hence, medium P is optically denser than Q.