Question
Download Solution PDFA-ray of light travelling from a rarer medium to a denser medium
This question was previously asked in
CDS 02/2021: GK Previous Paper (Held On 14 Nov 2021)
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 2 : slows down and bends towards the normal.
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UPSC CDS 01/2025 General Knowledge Full Mock Test
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Detailed Solution
Download Solution PDFThe correct answer is to slow down and bend towards the normal.
Key Points
Refraction
- It is the bending of light rays after entering a medium where its speed is different.
- Due to the refraction of light, when a ray of light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, bends towards the normal boundary between the two media. The amount of bending depends on the indices of refraction of the two media.
- A ray of light traveling from a rarer medium to a denser medium slows down and bends towards the normal. Hence, Option 2 is correct.
- When it travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium, it speeds up and bends away from the normal.
- The angle of refraction or the amount of bending of light depends on the refractive index (μ) of the two media.
- When light passes through a low refractive index, like air (faster medium or optically rarer medium) to a high refractive index, like glass(slower medium or optically denser medium), its speed decreases and bends towards the normal.
- When light passes through a high refractive index, like glass (slower medium or optically denser medium) to a low refractive index, like air (faster medium or optically rarer medium) its speed increases and bends away from the normal.
Last updated on May 29, 2025
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