6 Questions
What happens to the speed of light when it passes from air into glass?
It decreases
What is the angle of refraction if a light ray is incident perpendicular to the surface of a medium?
0 degrees
In which medium does light travel fastest?
Air
What is the phenomenon where light bends as it passes from one medium to another?
Refraction
What is the angle of refraction if a light ray is incident at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a medium with a refractive index of 1.5?
30 degrees
In which of the following mediums does light travel slowest?
Diamond
Study Notes
Refraction of Light
- When light passes from air into glass, its speed decreases due to the increased density of the medium.
- When a light ray is incident perpendicular to the surface of a medium, the angle of refraction is zero, meaning the light continues straight without bending.
- Light travels fastest in a vacuum, where there is no medium to slow it down.
- The phenomenon where light bends as it passes from one medium to another is called refraction.
- If a light ray is incident at an angle of 45 degrees to the surface of a medium with a refractive index of 1.5, the angle of refraction can be calculated using Snell's law.
- Light travels slowest in the densest medium, such as diamond, where the speed of light is approximately 124,000 km/s.
Test your knowledge about the refraction of light with this quiz. Explore questions about the speed of light when passing from air into glass, the angle of refraction for a light ray incident perpendicular to a medium's surface, and the medium in which light travels the fastest.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
