Question

You are given water, alcohol, glycerine and kerosene. In which of the media, a ray of light incident obliquely at some angle would bend the most?

• A. Kerosene
• B. Water
• C. Alcohol
• D. glycerine

Answer 1

The correct option is D

glycerine

Explanation:

1. The Refractive indices of water, mustard oil, glycerine and kerosene are, ${\mu }_w=1.33$, ${\mu }_m=1.47$, ${\mu }_g=1.473$ and ${\mu }_k=1.44$ respectively.
2. Mathematically, the refractive index is given as,

$\mu =\frac{\sin i}{\sin r}$.

3. Now, for the same oblique angle of incidence, the value of the refractive index will be maximum if $\sin r$ is minimum.

4. So, for minimum $\sin r$, the angle of refraction,$r$ should be minimum. It means bending should be maximum.

5. Since, the refractive index of glycerine is maximum, the angle of refraction will be minimum for it.

Therefore, bending will be maximum in glycerine.

Hence, option (D) is correct.