Light and Refraction Questions

A ray of light passes from air into a denser medium and bends towards the normal. What is this phenomenon called, and what causes it?

• Reflection; change in direction

• Refraction; change in speed

• Diffraction; bending around edges

• Dispersion; splitting into colors

• Speed decreases, wavelength decreases, frequency remains same, amplitude decreases

• Speed increases, wavelength increases, frequency decreases, amplitude increases

• Speed decreases, wavelength increases, frequency remains same, amplitude increases

• Speed increases, wavelength decreases, frequency increases, amplitude remains same

If a ray of light passes from one medium to another and both have the same refractive index (e.g., both are air with n = 1), will the ray bend?

• Yes

• No

A ray of light passes from air into water. Does it bend?

• Yes, it bends towards the normal

• Yes, it bends away from the normal

• No, it does not bend

• It bends only if the speed changes

A ray of light falls normally (perpendicularly) on a glass slab with refractive index 1.5. What are the angles of incidence and refraction at each surface, and what is the path of the ray?

• Angle of incidence = 0°, angle of refraction = 0°; ray goes straight through

• Angle of incidence = 90°, angle of refraction = 90°; ray bends inside

• Angle of incidence = 0°, angle of refraction = 45°; ray bends towards normal

• Angle of incidence = 45°, angle of refraction = 0°; ray bends away from normal

The statement "The refractive index of water is 4/3" means:

• Speed of light in water is 4/3 times that in air

• Speed of light in air is 4/3 times that in water

• Water bends light 4/3 times more than air

• Wavelength of light in water is 4/3 times that in air

• 2.25 × 10⁸ m/s

• 4 × 10⁸ m/s

• 3 × 10⁸ m/s

• 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s

The refractive index of water is 4/3, and that of glass is 3/2. What is the refractive index of glass with respect to water?

• 9/8

• 2/3

• 4/3

• 1

Orange light of wavelength 6600 Å (6.6 × 10⁻⁷ m) travels in air with speed 3 × 10⁸ m/s. What is its frequency in air?

• 4.55 × 10¹⁴ Hz

• 5 × 10¹⁴ Hz

• 3 × 10⁸ Hz

• 6.6 × 10⁻⁷ Hz

Given the refractive index of water is 4/3, what is the speed of light in water?

• 3 × 10⁸ m/s

• 2.25 × 10⁸ m/s

• 4 × 10⁸ m/s

• 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s