Question

Classify the bending of light as exhibited by the ray diagrams. According to your data, is light refracted away from or toward the normal as it passes at an angle into a medium with a higher index of refraction?

Answer 1

Answer:

the ray of light should approach normal

Explanation:

When light passes through two means of different refractive index, it fulfills the equation

              n₁ sin  θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂

where index 1 and 2 refer to each medium

In this problem, they tell us that light passes to a medium with a higher index, which is why

               n₁ <n₂

let's look for the angle in the second half

            sinθ₂ = n₁ /n₂  sin θ₁

            θ₂ = sin⁻¹ (n₁ /n₂  sin θ₁)

let's examine the angle argument the quantity n₁ /n₂ <1   therefore the argument decreases, therefore the sine and the angle decreases

Consequently the ray of light should approach normal