Question

The refractive index of glass is \(1.5\) and that of water is \(1.33\). In which medium will light bend more? Explain with reason.

Hint:

Greater optical density = Higher refractive index = Slower speed of light = More bending towards the normal.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The refractive index (\(\mu\)) of a medium indicates its optical density.
A higher refractive index means light travels slower in that medium and bends more towards the normal when entering from a rarer medium (like air).

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The bending of light is governed by Snell's law.
For light entering from air (refractive index \(\approx 1\)) into another medium at the same angle of incidence, the angle of refraction is smaller for the medium with the higher refractive index.
Since the refractive index of glass (\(1.5\)) is greater than that of water (\(1.33\)), glass is optically denser than water.
Therefore, light experiences a greater change in speed and consequently bends more towards the normal in glass than in water.

Step 3: Final Answer:
Light bends more in glass because of its higher refractive index and optical density.