NEET2008PhysicsRay OpticsActual
In refraction, light waves are bent on passing from one medium to the second medium, because, in the second medium
Options
- Athe frequency is different
- Bthe coefficient of elasticity is different
- Cthe speed is different
- Dthe amplitude is smaller
Correct answer
C. the speed is different
Step-by-step solution
When a ray of light travels from one medium to the second medium, it bends. If first medium is rarer and second medium is denser, it bends towards the normal while if first medium is denser and second medium is rarer, it bends away from the normal. This bending is due to refractive index of second medium with respect to first. The refractive index is related to the speed of light in the two media as below : ₁ ₂= speed of light in first medium speed of light in second medium or speed of light in second medium = spee