A ray of light is travelling from a rarer medium to a denser medium. While entering the denser medium at the point of incidence, it

1. goes straight into the second medium
2. bends towards the normal
3. bends away from the normal
4. does not enter at all

(b) bends towards the normal

Explanation

The angle of refraction or the amount of bending of light depends on the refractive index $(\mu) $ of the two media.

1. 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. 

2. 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. 

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Updated on: 10-Oct-2022

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