Question

A ray diagram is shown

Answer 1

Answer:

The diagram shows refraction, and medium 1 is less dense than medium 2.

Explanation:

- Reflection occurs when a light ray hits a surface and bounces back into the same medium

- Refraction occurs when a light ray crosses the interface between two different mediums, changing direction

From the diagram, we clearly see that this is a case of refraction, since the light ray crosses the boundary between two mediums.

The direction of a light ray in refraction is given by Snell's Law:

$n_1 sin \theta_1 = n_2 sin \theta_2$ (1)

where

n1 and n2 are the index of refraction of the two mediums: a higher index of refraction means a higher density for the medium

$\theta_1, \theta_2$ are the angles of the light ray in medium 1 and medium 2, measured with respect to the normal to the interface

We can rewrite eq. (1) as

$\frac{n_1}{n_2}=\frac{sin \theta_2}{sin \theta_1}$

From the diagram, we see that

$\theta_1 > \theta_2$

so

$sin \theta_1 > sin \theta_2$

and so

$\frac{sin \theta_2}{sin \theta_1}$

which means

$\frac{n_1}{n_2}$

so, medium 2 is denser than medium 1, and the correct answer is

The diagram shows refraction, and medium 1 is less dense than medium 2.

Answer 2

Answer:

B

Explanation: