RADIATION CLASSES

BASIC UNDERSTANDING
REFRACTION OF LIGHT AT PLANE SURFACES
CONCEPT ABOUT LIGHT

(i) Light has maximum speed in vacuum and it travels slower than the speed of light in different medium.

(ii) Optical Denser medium: When light passes from one medium to the other, if light slows down the second medium is called optically
denser medium than the first medium.

(iii) Optical rarer medium: When light passes from one medium to the other, if the light speeds up, then it is called optically rarer medium.
example: water and glass are optically denser medium as compared to air.

REFRACTION OF LIGHT

The change in direction of the path of light, when it passes from one transparent medium
to another transparent medium is called refraction of light. The refraction of light is a
surface phenomenon.

NOTE: The intensity (amplitude) of the refracted light will be less than that of the incident
light because a part of the light has suffered reflection.

CASE 1: When a ray of light travels from a rarer medium to a denser medium i.e., air to
glass, it bends towards the normal i.e., r< i.
i i
The deviation of the ray is δ = i - r
CASE 2: When a ray of light travels from a denser medium to a rarer medium i.e., from
glass to air, it bends away from the normal i.e., ∠r > ∠i . The deviation of the ray is
then δ = r – i.

CASE 3: The ray of light incident normally on the surface separating the two media,
passes undeviated. Thus, ∠i = 0 and ∠r = 0 and δ = 0.

CAUSES OF REFRACTION i.e., bending of light

Due to change in the speed of light in going of one medium to the another, there is bending
of light ray.

LAWS OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

(i) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point of incidence, all lie in the
same plane.

(ii) The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence i to the sine of the angle of refraction r is
constant for the pair of given media. i.e., mathematically,

sin 𝑖
= constant or 1µ2 (The constant is called refractive index of the second
sin 𝑟
medium w.r.t. the first medium.)

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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REFRACTIVE INDEX AND SPEED OF LIGHT

The refractive index (µ) of a medium is defined w.r.t. vacuum or air and it is called absolute refractive index or refractive index of the
medium.

The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in vacuum (or air) to the speed of light in that medium.

Speed of light in vacuum or air 𝒄

i.e., µ= =
Speed of light in that medium 𝒗

NOTE: THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF A TRANSPARENT MEDIUM IS ALWAYS GREATER THAN 1 i.e., µ > 1 , because speed of light in any
medium is always less than that in vacuum i.e., v < c .

Illustration: The refractive index of diamond is 2.41, this means that light travels in air 2.41 times faster than in diamond.

If V1 is the speed of light in medium 1 and V2 is the speed of light in medium 2, then

Speed of light in medium 1 𝐕𝟏 µ𝟐

1
µ2 = Speed of light in medium 2 = =
𝐕𝟐 µ𝟏

CONCEPT: If the refractive indices of medium 1 and medium 2 are same, the speed of light will be same in both the media, therefore,
a ray of light will pass from medium 1 to medium 2 without any change in its path even when the angle of incidence in medium 1 is
not zero.

CONDITIONS FOR RAY OF LIGHT TO PASS UNDEVIATED

CASE 1: When the angle of incidence at the boundary of two media is zero i.e., ∠i = 0

CASE 2: When the refractive index of medium 2 is same as that of medium 1 i.e., ∠i = ∠r

EFFECT OF SPEED (V), WAVELENGHT (λ) AND FREQUENCY (f) DUE TO REFRACTION OF LIGHT
CASE 1: When a ray of light gets refracted from a rarer to a denser medium, the speed of light decreases; while it it is refracted from a
denser medium to a rarer medium, the speed of light increases.

CASE 2: The frequency (f) of light depends on the source of light, so it does not change on refraction. If V is the speed of light in a
medium and λ is the wavelength of light in that medium, then frequency of light is given by –

𝑽
f=𝝀
𝐜 𝐕
In rarer medium, f = and in denser medium, f = 𝝀′
𝛌

𝐜 𝐕 𝑽
Therefore, = 𝝀′ or, 𝝀′ = 𝒄 λ
𝛌
𝐜
But = µ, the refractive index of the medium.
𝐕

𝛌
Therefore, 𝝀′ = µ

CASE 3: When light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, the wavelength (λ) decreases (since speed of light decreases,
but its frequency remains unchanged). When light passes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, the speed of light and wavelength
increases.

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CONCLUSION: When light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium (µ > 1), its wavelength decreases (λ’ < λ), but if light passes
from a denser medium to a rarer medium (µ < 1), its wavelength increases (λ’ > λ).

FACTORS AFFECTING THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF A MEDIUM

(1) Nature of the medium (optical density): lower the speed of light in a medium relative to air or vacuum, higher is the refractive index
of that medium

(2) Physical condition such as temperature: With increase in temperature, the speed of light in a medium increase, so the refractive
index of medium decreases.

(3) The wavelength (colour) of light: the speed of light of all colours are same in air or vacuum, but in any other transparent medium,
the speed of light is different for different colours. In a given medium, the speed of red light is maximum and that of the violet light is
least, therefore, the refractive index of that medium is maximum for violet and least for red light i.e., (µv > µR).

PRINCIPLE OF REVERSIBILITY OF LIGHT

If a ray of light travel from medium 1 to medium 2 along a certain path, it retraces the path,
when it passes from medium 2 to medium 1. Thus, the path of light is reversible. And this
principle is known as the principle of reversibility of light.

Relationship between refractive index values of 2 media in contact – Application of Principle

of Reversibility

Let us consider a ray of light AO is incident at an angle i on a plane surface ss’ separating the
two media 1 and 2. It is refracted along OB at an angle of refraction r.
µ sin 𝑖 𝐕
The refractive index of medium 2 w.r.t. medium 1 is 1
µ2 = µ𝟐 = sin 𝑟 = 𝐕𝟏 …… (i)
𝟏 𝟐

If the refraction takes place from the medium 2 to medium 1, then the refractive index of medium 1 w.r.t. medium 2 is
µ sin 𝑟 𝐕
2
µ1 = µ𝟏 = sin 𝑖 = 𝐕𝟐 …… (ii)
𝟐 𝟏

From eqns. (i) and (ii), 1

µ2 x 2µ1 = 1 ……… (iii)
𝟏
µ1 = 𝟏µ𝟐 or µ2 = 𝟐µ𝟏 ……. (iv)
2 1 𝟏

𝟑 𝟐
Thus, if refractive index of glass w.r.t. air is aµg = , the refractive index of air w.r.t. glass will be gµa = .
𝟐 𝟑

REFRACTION OF LIGHT THROUGH A RECTANGULAR GLASS SLAB

Consider a rectangular glass slab ABCD having parallel faces AB and CD as shown
in above figure. A ray of light EF in air is incident on the glass surface AB at point O.
As the ray EO enters from air (rarer medium) to glass (denser medium), the ray bends
towards normal and follows the path OO' inside the glass slab. At point O', refraction
takes place again. As the ray OO' enters from glass (denser medium) to air (rarer
medium), the ray bends away from normal and follow the path O'H outside glass
slab.

Here, the ray EF is called incident ray, OO', the refracted ray and O'H, the emergent
ray. As per the laws of refraction, The emergent ray O'H is parallel to the incident
ray EF. The perpendicular distance O'L between the original path of incident ray and
the emergent ray is called the lateral displacement.

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DEPENDANCE OF LATERAL DISPLACEMENT

The lateral displacement depends on:

(i) the thickness of slab or medium (ii) the angle of incidence (iii) the refractive index of glass (iv) the wavelength of light used

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS Question 4: A light ray passes from water to (i) air, and (ii) glass.
In each case, state how does the speed of light change?
Question 1: A ray of light is incident normally on a plane glass slab.
Answer: As we know,
What will be (i) the angle of refraction and (ii) the angle of
deviation for the ray? Refractive index of air, μa = 1.0003
Refractive index of water, μw = 1.33
Answer: (i) The ray of light incident normally on a plane glass slab
Refractive index of ordinary glass, μg = 1.5
passes undeviated, ( i.e. such a ray suffers no bending at the
surface). Thus, if angle of incidence ∠i = 0°, then the angle of With the help of the above values, we can see that μg > μw > μa
refraction ∠r = 0°.
When a ray of light gets refracted from a rarer to a denser
(ii) In the case when ray of light is incident normally on a plane medium, the speed of light decreases, while if it is refracted from
glass slab, it passes undeviated. Hence, the angle of deviation is a denser to a rarer medium, the speed of light increases.
0°.
So, on the basis of above information, we can say that —
Question 2: An obliquely incident light ray bends at the surface
due to change in speed, when passing from one medium to other. (i) When a ray of light passes from water to air, its speed increases
The ray does not bend when it is incident normally. Will the ray as it is moving from a denser to a rarer medium.
have different speed in the other medium?
(ii) When a ray of light passes from water to glass, its speed
Answer: We observe that, when a ray of light passing from one decreases as it is moving from a rarer to a denser medium.
medium to other is obliquely incident it bends at the surface due
to change in speed in going from one medium to another. Question 5: (a) For which colour of white light, is the refractive
index of a transparent medium
However, for normal incidence from one medium to another, angle (i) the least
of incidence ∠i = 0° then the angle of refraction ∠r = 0°. Hence the (ii) the most?
speed of light changes but the direction of light does not change.
(b) Which colour of white light travels fastest in any medium
Question 3 except air?

A ray of light passes from medium 1 to medium 2. Which of the Answer: (a) (i) The speed of red light is maximum. Therefore, the
following quantities of the refracted ray will differ from that of the refractive index of a transparent medium is least for red colour.
incident ray: speed, intensity, frequency and wavelength?
(ii) The speed of violet light is least. Therefore, the refractive index
Answer of a transparent medium is most for violet colour.

Speed, intensity and wavelength are the quantities which will differ (b) The wavelength of visible light increases from violet to red
for a refracted ray in comparison to those of an incident ray. colour. It is highest for red colour. Hence, red colour travels
fastest in any medium except air.
The frequency of light depends on the source of light, so it does
not change on refraction. Question 6: How does the refractive index of a medium depend
on the wavelength of light used?
When a ray of light gets refracted from a rarer to a denser medium,
the speed of light decreases; while if it is refracted from a denser Answer: In a given medium, the speed of red light is maximum.
to a rarer medium, the speed of light increases. Therefore, the refractive index of that medium is maximum for
violet light and least for red light. (i.e. μviolet > μred).
When light passes from a rarer to a denser medium, the
wavelength decreases and when it passes from denser to rarer The wavelength of visible light increases from violet to red end,
medium, its wavelength increases. so the refractive index of a medium decreases with increase in
wavelength of light used.
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Hence, the refractive index of a medium for violet light which has (i) The incident ray, the refracted ray and the normal at the point
the least wavelength is greater than that for red light which has of incidence, all lie in the same plane.
the greatest wavelength.
(ii) The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence i to the sine of
Question 7: How does the refractive index of a medium depend on the angle of refraction r is constant for the pair of given media.
its temperature?

Answer: With increase in temperature, the speed of light in a

medium increase, so the refractive index of the medium The constant 1μ2 is called the refractive index of the second
decreases. medium with respect to the first medium.

Question 8: The refractive index of water with respect to air Question 4: Define the term refractive index of a medium. Can it
is aμw and of glass with respect to air is aμg. Express the refractive be less than 1?
index of glass with respect to water.
Answer: The refractive index of the second medium with respect
Answer: The refractive index of water with respect to air is aμw. to the first medium is defined as the ratio of the sine of the angle
of incidence in the first medium to the sine of the angle of
refraction in the second medium.

The refractive index of a transparent medium is always greater

than 1 (it cannot be less than 1) because the speed of light in any
medium is always less than that in vacuum ( i.e. V < c ) and μ = 1
for air or vacuum.

Question 5: (a) Compare the speeds of light of wavelength 4000Å

(i.e. violet light) and 8000Å (i.e. red light) in vacuum.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
(b) How is the refractive index of a medium related to the speed of
Question 1: What do you understand by refraction of light? light in it and in vacuum or air?

Answer: The change in the direction of the path of light, when it Answer: (a) As we know that light is an electromagnetic wave and
passes from one transparent medium to another transparent it travels with same speed for all wavelength, which is equal to 3 x
medium, is called refraction of light. The refraction of light is 108.
essentially a surface phenomenon.
Hence, the ratio of speeds of light of wavelength 4000Å (i.e. violet
Question 2: What is the cause of refraction of light when it passes light) and 8000Å (i.e. red light) in vacuum = 1:1.
from one medium to another?
(b) The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the
Answer: When a ray of light passes from one medium to another speed of light in vacuum (or air) to the speed of light in that
medium, its direction (or path) changes because of the change in medium.
speed of light in going from one medium to another.

In passing from one medium to other, if light slows down, it bends

towards the normal and if light speeds up, it bends away from the
normal.
Denser medium has a higher refractive index. Hence, the speed of
If the speed of light remains same in passing from one medium to light in such medium is lower in comparison to the speed of light
another, the ray of light does not bend then it passes undeviated. in a medium which has a lower refractive index.

Hence, we can say that the cause of refraction of light is that its Question 6: A light ray in passing from water to a medium (a)
speed is different in different mediums. speeds up (b) slows down. In each case, (i) give one example of
the medium, (ii) state whether the refractive index of medium is
Question 3: State the Snell's laws of refraction of light. equal to, less than or greater than the refractive index of water.
Answer: As we know that, when a ray of light gets refracted from a
Answer: Draw the diagram
rarer to a denser medium, the speed of light decreases, while if it
The Snell’s laws of refraction of light are:
is refracted from a denser to a rarer medium, the speed of light
increases.
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(a) (i) When a ray of light passes from water to air, its speed i.e. μb > μr.
increases as it is moving from a denser to a rarer medium.
Hence, the refractive index of red and blue light in glass will be
(b) (i) When a ray of light passes from water to glass, its speed different.
decreases as it is moving from a rarer to a denser medium.
Question 10: Name two factors on which the refractive index of a
(a) (ii) The refractive index of the medium (air) is less than that of medium depends? State how does it depends on the factors stated
water as the speed of refracted ray increases. by you.

(b) (ii) The refractive index of the medium (glass) is more than that Answer: The factors on which the refractive index of a medium
of water as the speed of refracted ray decreases. depends are as follows —

Question 7: What do you understand by the statement 'the (i) Nature of the medium (on the basis of speed of light) — Less
refractive index of glass: is 1.5 for white light'? the speed of light in the medium as compared to that in air, more
is the refractive index of the medium.
Answer: This statement indicates that white light travels in air 1.5
𝟏
times faster than in glass or speed of light in glass is times the We know that,
𝟏.𝟓
speed of light in air.

Question 8: A monochromatic ray of light passes from air to glass.

The wavelength of light in air is λ, the speed of light in air is c and
in glass is V. If the refractive index of glass is 1.5, write down,

(a) the relationship between c and V,

(b) the wavelength of light in the glass.

Answer: (a) The relation between the speed of light in air c and in
(ii) Physical condition such as temperature — With an increase in
glass V is given by —
temperature, the speed of light in medium increases, so the
refractive index of the medium decreases.

Question 11: Light of a single colour is passed through a liquid

having a piece of glass suspended in it. On changing the
temperature of the liquid, at a particular temperature, the glass
piece is not seen.

(b) Let wavelength of light in glass be λ1 so we get, (i) When is the glass piece not seen?
(ii) Why is the light of a single colour used?

Answer: (i) The glass piece is not seen when the refractive index of
the liquid becomes equal to the refractive index of glass.

(ii) The light of a single colour is used as the refractive index of a

medium (glass or liquid) is different for the light of different
Question 9: A boy uses blue colour of light to find the refractive colours.
index of glass. He then repeats the experiment using red colour of
light. Will the refractive index be the same or different in the two Question 12: When an illuminated object is held in front of a thick
cases? Give a reason to support your answer. plane glass mirror, several images are seen, out of which the
second image is the brightest. Give reason.
Answer: The speed of blue light in glass is less that of red light.
Answer:
i.e. cb < cr

We know that,

Hence, the refractive index of blue light is greater than that of red
light.

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As shown in the figure, if an illuminated object is held in front of a
thick plane glass mirror, and is viewed obliquely, a number of
images are seen and out of these the second image is the
brightest.

The reason for this is that when a ray of the light falls on the
surface of the mirror from the source, a small part of light (nearly
4%) is reflected forming a faint virtual image, while a large part of
light (nearly 96%) is refracted inside the glass.

Now, we can see that this ray is strongly reflected back by the
silvered surface inside the glass. This ray is then partially Question 3: In the figure below, a ray of light A incident from air
refracted in air and this refracted ray forms another virtual image. suffers partial reflection and refraction at the boundary of water.

This image is the brightest image because it is due to the light

suffering a strong first reflection at the silvered surface.

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: Draw diagrams to show the refraction of light from (i)
air to glass, (ii) glass to air. In each diagram, label the incident ray, (a) Complete the diagram showing (i) the reflected ray B and (ii)
refracted ray, the angle of incidence (i) and the angle of refraction the refracted ray C.
(r). (b) How are the angles of incidence i and refraction r related?

Answer: (i) The below ray diagram shows the refraction of light Answer: (a) Below is the completed diagram with the refracted ray
from air to glass: B and the reflected ray C labelled:

(ii) The below ray diagram shows the refraction of light from glass (b) The relation between angle of incidence i and the angle of
to air: refraction r is given by Snell’s law as,

The ratio of the sine of the angle of incidence i to the sine of the
angle of refraction r is constant for the pair of given media.

Question 4: The diagram alongside shows the refraction of a ray

of light from air to a liquid.

Question 2: A light ray suffers reflection and refraction at the

boundary in passing from air to water. Draw a neat labelled
diagram to show it.

Answer: Air is a rarer medium while water is denser medium than

air. Therefore, when a ray of light travels from air to water (i.e rarer
to denser) it bends towards the normal. Below diagram shows
reflection and refraction suffered by a light ray at the boundary in
passing from air to water:
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(a) Write the values of (i) angle of incidence, and (ii) angle of
refraction.

(b) Use Snell's law to find the refractive index of liquid with respect
to air.

Answer: (a) (i) The angle of incidence is the angle which the
incident ray makes with the normal. Hence, ∠i = 90° – 30° = 60°.

(ii) Angle of refraction is the angle which the refracted ray makes
with the normal Hence, ∠r = 90° – 45° = 45°.
(ii) Below is the labelled diagram for ray of light at angle of
(b) We know that according to Snell’s law, incidence 45°:

Question 7: In the adjacent diagram, AO is a ray of light incident

on a rectangular glass slab.

Hence, the refractive index of liquid with respect to air is 1.22

Question 5: What is lateral displacement? Draw a ray diagram

showing the lateral displacement of a ray of light when it passes
through a parallel-sided glass slab.

Answer: The perpendicular distance between the incident ray and

the emergent ray is defined as lateral displacement. This shift
depends upon the angle of incidence, the angle of refraction and (a) Complete the path of the ray until it emerges out of the slab.
the thickness of the medium.
(b) In the diagram, mark the angle of incidence (i) and the angle of
Below diagram shows the lateral displacement of a ray of light refraction (r) at the first interface. How is the refractive index of
when it passes through a parallel-sided glass slab: glass related to angles i and r?

(c) Mark angle of emergence by the letter e. How are the angles i
and e related?

(d) Which two rays are parallel to each other? Name them.

(e) Indicate in the diagram the lateral displacement between the

emergent ray and the incident ray. State one factor that affects the
lateral displacement.

Answer: DIY

Question 6:A ray of light strikes the surface at a rectangular glass Question 8: A ray of green light enters a liquid from air, as shown
slab such that the angle of incidence in air is (i) 0°, (ii) 45°. In each in the figure. The angle 1 is 45° and angle 2 is 30°.
case, draw a diagram to show the path taken by the ray as it passes
through the glass slab and emerges from it.

Answer: (i) Below is the labelled diagram for ray of light at angle of
incidence 0°:

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(a) Find the refractive index of liquid.

(b) Show in the diagram the path of the ray after it strikes the
mirror and re-enters in air. Mark in the diagram the angles
wherever necessary.

(c) Redraw the diagram if plane mirror becomes normal to the

refracted ray inside the liquid. State the principle used.

Answer: (a) Refractive index of the liquid is given by Snell's law and
is shown as below,

(b) Below labelled diagram shows the path of the ray after it strikes
the mirror and re-enters in air:

(c) Below labelled diagram shows the path of the ray when it
strikes the plane mirror normally inside the liquid:

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REFRACTION OF LIGHT THROUGH A PRISM

PRISM

A prism is a transparent medium bounded by two surfaces with a triangular cross

section.
Figure shows a prism in which the opposite surfaces ABC and DEF are triangular.
The ∠BAC is the angle of prism, which is denoted by letter A. The two rectangular
surfaces ABED and ACFD are the refracting surfaces. AD is the refracting edge and
BCEF is the base of the prism.

REFRACTION OF LIGHT THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

∠LMQ = ∠MPQ + ∠MQP

δ = (i1 + i2) – (r1 + r2) ….(A)

Also, for the quadrilateral APNQ, ∠APN = ∠AQN = 900

r1 + r 2 = A …(B)

Hence from equation A and B,

δ = (i1 + i2) – A

Or, i1 + i2 = A + δ ….(C)

FACTORS AFFECTING ANGLE OF DEVIATION

(i) the angle of incidence (i) (ii) the material of prism (i.e., refractive index) (iii) the angle of prism (A) (iv) the wavelength of light

ANGLE OF MINIMUM DEVIATION

Let A, B, C be the glass of the prism. Suppose BC is the base and AB and AC are its two
refracting surfaces. From the above figure, we can say that OP is the incident. The ray traveling
through the rarer medium and then the refractive index of the prism is the incident ray. As the
ray PQ strikes the surface of the and it is called as the refracted ray. OR is the emergent
ray which comes out.

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When the ray light enters the glass, it bends towards normal and when ray comes out, it bends away from the normal. Now the angle
between the emergent ray and incident ray is the angle of deviation. For a single refracting surface, δ = (i – r)

In this case, δ = (i1 + i2) – (r1 + r2)

δ = i1 + i2 – A, A is the angle between the prism between two lateral surfaces. We know that ∠A and ∠Q is 180º and Angle of the
prism of (A) is r1 + r2

r1 is the angle of refraction inside the prism and r2 is the angle of refraction outside it. For an angle of minimum deviation, δ is
minimum and i1 = i2 = i

δmin = 2i – A

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (PART II)

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS Answer: (i) When a ray of light incident at an angle of incidence
i1 passes through an equilateral glass prism such that the
Question 1: Define the term angle of deviation. refracted ray inside the prism is parallel to its base and emerges
at an angle of emergence i2 then angle of incidence i1 is equal to
Answer: Angle of deviation is the angle between the direction of the angle of emergence i2.
incident ray and the emergent ray. It is represented by the greek
alphabet δ (delta). Hence, i1 = i2

Question 2: How does the deviation produced by a prism depend (ii) When a ray of light incident at an angle of incidence i1 passes
on through an equilateral glass prism such that the refracted ray
(i) the refractive index of its material, and inside the prism is parallel to its base and emerges at an angle
(ii) the wavelength of incident light of emergence i2 then angle of deviation is minimum.

Answer: (i) For a given angle of incidence, the prism with a Question 4: A light ray of yellow colour is incident on an
higher refractive index produces greater deviation than the equilateral glass prism at an angle of incidence equal to 48° and
prism which has a lower refractive index. suffers minimum deviation by an angle of 36°.

For example — A flint glass prism produces more deviation than (i) What will be the angle of emergence?
a crown glass prism for same refracting angle since μflint > μcrown
(ii) If the angle of incidence is changed to (a) 30°, (b) 60°, state
(ii) The refractive index of a given transparent medium is in each case whether the angle of deviation will be equal to less
different for the light of different colours. It decreases with the than or more than 36°?
increase in the wavelength of light.
Answer: (i) As we know that in an equilateral glass prism the ray
Thus, the refractive index of the material of a prism for visible suffers minimum deviation.
light is maximum for the violet colour and minimum for the red
So, angle of incidence i1 is equal to angle of emergence i2
colour.
Given, angle of incidence i1 = 48°
Consequently, a given prism deviates violet light the most and
red light the least. Applying the rule given above, we get,
(i.e. δ violet > δ red since μviolet > μred ) i1 = i2
⇒ i2 = 48°
Question 3: A ray of light incident at an angle of incidence
i1 passes through an equilateral glass prism such that the Hence, angle of emergence i2 = 48°
refracted ray inside the prism is parallel to its base and emerges
at an angle of emergence i2. (ii) (a) As the minimum angle of deviation is 36° for yellow light,
at an incident angle of 48° so for any angle of incidence other
(i) How is the angle of emergence 'i2' related to the angle of than 48° the angle of deviation will be more than 36°.
incidence 'i1'.
Hence, when the angle of incidence is changed to 30°, the angle
(ii) What can you say about the angle of deviation in such a of deviation will be more than 36°.
situation?

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(b) As the minimum angle of deviation is 36° for yellow light, at
an incident angle of 48° so for any angle of incidence other than
48° the angle of deviation will be more than 36°.

Hence, when the angle of incidence is changed to 60°, the angle

of deviation will be more than 36°.

Question 5

How does the angle of deviation depend on refracting angle of

The below diagram shows the refraction of a ray of light of
the prism?
single colour through a parallel sided glass slab with the
Answer incident, refracted, emergent rays and the angle of deviation
properly labelled:
The angle of deviation (𝛿) increases with increase in the angle
of prism (A).

LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: What is a prism? With the help of a diagram of the
principal section of a prism, indicate its refracting surfaces,
refracting angle and base.

Answer: A prism is defined as a transparent medium bounded by

five plane surfaces with a triangular cross section. The below
diagram shows the principal section of a prism with its (ii) In a prism, the refraction of light occurs at two inclined faces,
refracting surfaces, refracting angle and base labelled: so the emergent ray is not parallel to the incident ray but it is
deviated towards the base of the prism. On the other hand, in a
Draw on your own… parallel sided glass slab, the refraction of light occurs at two
parallel faces, so the emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray
Question 2: The diagrams (a) and (b) in figure below show the with a lateral displacement.
refraction of a ray of light of single colour through a prism and
a parallel sided glass slab, respectively. Question 3: What do you understand by the deviation produced
by a prism? Why is it caused? State three factors on which the
angle of deviation depends.

Answer: In a prism, the ray of light suffers refraction at two

inclined faces. In each refraction, the ray bends towards the
(a) base of the prism. The below diagram shows the refraction of a
ray of light of single colour through a prism:

(b)

(i) In each diagram, label the incident, refracted, emergent rays

and the angle of deviation.

(ii) In what way the direction of the emergent ray in the two At the first face AB, the ray suffers a deviation equal to δ1. Then,
cases differ with respect to the incident ray? Explain your at the second face AC, the ray PQ suffers a deviation δ2. Thus,
answer. the prism has produced a deviation which is the angle between
the direction of incident ray and the emergent ray. This is called
Answer: (i) The below diagram shows the refraction of a ray of
the angle of deviation produced by a prism.
light of single colour through a prism with the incident,
refracted, emergent rays and the angle of deviation properly The angle of deviation is caused as the ray passing through a
labelled: prism suffers refraction at two inclined planes.

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 RADIATION CLASSES
The three factors on which the angle of deviation depends are In an equilateral prism, when the prism is in minimum deviation,
as follows: the angle of incidence i1 is equal to the angle of emergence i2.

1. The angle of incidence (i) Hence, Angle of emergence (i2) = Angle of incidence (i1).

2. The material of prism (i.e on refractive index μ) Question 6: An object is viewed through a glass prism with its
vertex pointing upwards. Draw a ray diagram to show the
3. The angle of prism (A) formation of its image as seen by the observer on the other side
of the object.
Question 4: (a) How does the angle of deviation produced by a Answer: Below ray diagram shows the formation of the image of
prism change with increase in the angle of incidence. Draw a an object when seen by an observer through a glass prism with
curve showing the variation in the angle of deviation with the its vertex pointing upwards:
angle of incidence at a prism surface.

(b) Using the curve in part (a) above, how would you infer that
for a given prism, the angle of minimum deviation 𝛿min is unique
for light of a given wavelength.

Answer: (a) It is experimentally observed that as the angle of

incidence increases, the angle of deviation first decreases,
reaches to a minimum value for a certain angle of incidence and
then on further increasing the angle of incidence, the angle of Question 7: A ray of light is normally incident on one face of an
deviation begins to increase. The below curve shows the equilateral glass prism.
variation in the angle of deviation with the angle of incidence at
a prism surface: Answer the following —

(a) What is the angle of incidence on the first face of the prism?
(b) What is the angle of refraction from the first face of the
prism?
(c) What will be the angle of incidence at the second face of the
prism?
(d) Will the light ray suffer minimum deviation by the prism?

Answer: (a) The angle of incidence on the first face of the prism
when a ray of light is normally incident is 0°.
(b) For a given prism and given colour of light, 𝛿min (angle of
(b) The angle of refraction from the first face of the prism r1 = 0°
minimum deviation) is unique since only one horizontal line can
as the angle of refraction of a normally incident ray is always 0°.
be drawn parallel to i – axis at the lowest point of i – 𝛿 curve i.e
only for one value of angle of incidence i, the refracted ray inside (c) As the prism is equilateral therefore A = 60°.
the prism is parallel to its base.
Given, r1 = 0°.
Question 5: Draw a ray diagram to show the refraction of a
monochromatic ray through a prism when it suffers minimum Hence, taking into consideration the two conditions we get,
deviation. How is the angle of emergence related to the angle of
incidence in this position. the angle of incidence at the second face of the prism, equal to
60°.
Answer: Below diagram shows the refraction of a
monochromatic light ray through a prism when it suffers (d) No, the light ray will not suffer minimum deviation as the
minimum deviation: angle of incidence is 0°.

VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS

Question 1: In refraction of light through a prism, the light ray:

Answer: bends at both the surfaces of the prism towards its

base

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 RADIATION CLASSES
Reason — This phenomenon occurs because light undergoes Answer: parallel
refraction twice as it enters and exits the prism. At each surface,
the light bends towards the normal due to the change in Reason — In position of minimum deviation, the refracted ray
medium, causing it to deviate from its original path. Since the inside the prism is parallel to its base.
prism is thicker at the base and thinner at the apex, the net
Question 9: A ray of light is incident normally on the face of an
effect of refraction at both surfaces is to bend the light towards
equilateral glass prism. The angle of refraction from the first
the base of the prism.
face of prism is :
Question 2: A ray of light suffers refraction through an
Answer: 0°
equilateral prism. The deviation produced by the prism does not
depend on the: Reason — When a ray of light is incident normally
(perpendicularly) on a surface, it means the angle of incidence
Answer: size of prism
is 0°.
Reason — The deviation produced by the prism depends on :
Question 10: How does the angle of minimum deviation
1. the angle of incidence produced by a prism change with increase in (i) the wavelength
of incident light and (ii) the refracting angle of the prism?
2. the material of prism
Answer: (i) The angle of minimum deviation produced by a
3. the angle of prism prism decreases with increase in the wavelength of incident
light.
4. the colour or wavelength of light used.
(ii) The angle of minimum deviation produced by a
It does not depend on the size of prism. prism increases with increase in the refracting angle of the
prism.
Question 3: The cross section of the prism is :
Question 11: Write a relation for the angle of deviation (𝛿) for a
Answer: triangular
ray of light passing through an equilateral prism in terms of
Reason — The cross section of the prism is triangular. angle of incidence (i1), angle of emergence (i2) and angle of
prism (A).
Question 4: The angle of prism A is given as:
Answer: The relation between the angle of incident (i1), angle of
Answer: r1 + r2 emergence (i2), angle of prism (A) and angle of deviation (𝛿) for
a ray of light passing through an equilateral prism is given by —
Reason — The angle of a prism is typically represented by the
sum of its refracting angles, hence, r1 + r2. 𝛿 = (i1 + i2) - A

Question 5: The angle of deviation becomes minimum when: Question 12: Name the colour of white light which is deviated

Answer: i1 = i2 (i) the most,

(ii) the least, on passing through a prism.
Reason — The angle of deviation becomes minimum when angle
of incidence (i1) becomes equal to the angle of emergence (i 2). Answer: (i) On passing through a prism, violet colour will deviate
This phenomenon occurs when the light ray inside the prism is the most.
incident at the minimum deviation angle and is known as the
angle of minimum deviation. (ii) On passing through a prism, red colour will deviate the least

Question 6: The minimum angle of deviation is given by :

Answer: δmin=2i−A

Reason — In the position of minimum deviation, the refracted

ray inside the prism is parallel to its base, if the prism is
equilateral (or the principal section of prism forms an isosceles
triangle). The minimum angle of deviation is given by δmin=2i−A

Question 8: In position of minimum deviation, the refracted ray

inside the prism is ............... to its base:

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 RADIATION CLASSES

APPLICATION OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

REAL AND APPARENT DEPTH

DEFINITION: An object placed in a denser medium when viewed from a rarer medium,
appears to be at a depth lesser than its real depth. This is due to refraction of light.

EXPRESSION FOR REAL AND APPARENT DEPTH

Consider a point O kept at the bottom of a transparent medium separared from air by
the surface. PQ. A ray of light OA, from object O is incident on the surface PQ
normally, so, it passes undeviated along the path AA’. Another ray OB, from the object
O, strikes the boundary PQ at B and suffers refraction. Since the ray travels from
denser to rarer medium, it bends away from the normal N’BN drawn at the point of in
Incidence B on the surface PQ and travels along BC in air.

When view by the eye, the ray BC appears to be coming from a point I which is the virtual image of O.

From the figure, ∠AOB = ∠OBN’ = i

Similarly, IA’ and BN are parallel and IC is the transverse line, so ∠BIA’ = ∠CBN = r
BA BA
In ∆BAO, sin i = OB and in ∆IAB, sin r = IB

sin 𝑖
= OB
IB
Then, mµa =
sin 𝑟

𝟏 𝐎𝐁 𝐎𝐀 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡
Therefore, refractive index of medium w.r.t. to air - aµ
m = = = =
𝐦µ𝐚 𝐈𝐁 𝐈𝐀 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐡

CONCLUSION: The shift by the object appears to be raised, depends on the following:
(i) the refractive index of the medium,
(ii) the thickness of the denser medium, and
(iii) the colour or wavelength of incident light.

DAILY LIFE PHENOMENA OF REFRACTION OF LIGHT

(i) A star appears twinkling in the sky due to change in refractive index of air with temperature.

(ii) The sun is seen a few minutes before it rises above the horizon in the morning while in the evening few minutes longer after it
sets.

(iii) A coin kept in the vessel and not visible when seen from just below the edge of the vessel, can be viewed from the same position
when water is poured into the vessel.

(iv) A print appears to be raised when a glass slab is placed over it.

(v) A tank appears shallow than its actual depth.

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 RADIATION CLASSES
Question 3: Water in a pond appears to be only three-quarters
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS of its actual depth.
Question 1: How is the refractive index of a medium related to
(a) What property of light is responsible for this observation?
the real and apparent depths of an object in that medium?
Illustrate your answer with the help of a ray diagram.
Answer: The relation of refractive index μ with real and apparent
(b) How is the refractive index of water calculated from its real
depth is given as below,
and apparent depths?

Answer: (a) Water in a pond appears to be only three-quarters of

its actual depth due to the refraction of light while travelling
Question 2: An object placed in one medium when seen from the from one medium to another.
other medium, appears to be vertically shifted. Name two
factors on which the magnitude of the shift depends and state The light rays suffer refraction while travelling from denser
how does it depend on them. medium (water or glass) to rarer medium (air), so it bends away
from the normal. Below is the ray diagram for this:
Answer: The shift by which the object appears to be raised
depends on —

(i) The refractive index of the medium — Higher the refractive

index of the medium, more is the shift.

(ii) The thickness of the denser medium — Thicker the medium,

more is the shift.

(iii) The colour or wavelength of incident light — the shift

decreases with the increase in the wavelength of light used. (b) Let us say an object (B) is at the bottom of a pond. Consider
a ray of light BC from the object that moves from water to air.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS The ray now moves away from the normal N along the path CD,
after refraction from the water surface.
Question 1: Prove that,
When we produce CD it appears from the point B’.

The virtual image of the object B appears at B’.

Answer: see above
Hence, we get,
Question 2: A tank of water is viewed normally from above.

(a) State how does the depth of tank appears to change.

(b) Draw a labelled ray diagram to explain your answer.

Answer: (a) When a tank is viewed normally from above from a

rarer medium, the apparent depth of the tank is always less than
its real depth.

As aμw = 4 / 3, therefore, the depth of the pond appears three

fourth of its real depth on seeing it from air in a nearly vertical
direction.

(b) Below is the labelled ray diagram of a tank of water viewed

normally from above:

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 RADIATION CLASSES

CRITICAL ANGLE AND TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

TRANSMISSION OF LIGHT FROM A DENSER MEDIUM TO A RARER MEDIUM
CASE 1: When the angle of incidence is small (i < C)
Since the incident ray bends away from the normal when it suffers refraction from glass to
air, therefore, the angle of refraction r is greater than the angle of incidence i.

Now, if the angle of incidence i is gradually increased, the angle of refraction r also
increases, but the intensity of refracted ray keeps on decreasing. Finally, the angle of
refraction r reaches its maximum value equal to 900 at a certain angle of incidence i = C,
where C is called the critical angle.

CASE 2: When the angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle (i = C)

The angle of refraction becomes 900.

CASE 3: When the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle (i > C)

No refracted ray is obtained and the incident ray is totally reflected as OC.

CRITICAL ANGLE: When a ray of light passes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, at a
certain angle of incidence i = C, the angle of refraction becomes 90 0, i.e., at i = C, r =900.
The angle C is called the critical angle.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE CRITICAL ANGLE

The critical angle for a given pair of media depends on their refractive indices. But the refractive index of the medium is affected by
the following two factors:

(i) The colour or wavelength of light: The refractive index of a medium decreases with the increase in wavelength of light, (it is most
for the violet and least f or the red), therefore the critical angle for a pair of media is least for the violet and , most for the red light
i.e., the critical angle increases with the increase in the wavelength of light.

(ii) Temperature: On increasing the temperature of medium, its refractive index decreases, so the critical angle for that pair of media
increases. Thus, the critical angle increases with increase in temperature.

TOTAL INTERNAL REFLECTION

When a ray of light travelling in a denser medium, is incident at the surface of a rarer medium at the angle of incidence greater than
the critical angle for the pair of media, the ray is totally reflected back into the denser medium. This phenomenon is called total
internal reflection of light.

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 RADIATION CLASSES

The figure shows the refraction of light rays from a point source kept in
a denser medium toa rarer medium at different increasing angle of
incidence.

For the ray OA, the angle of incidence is zero, it is refracted as AO’.

For the ray AP, the angle of incidence i is less than the critical angle C (i
< C), it is partly reflected as PB and partly refracted as PC at an angle of
refraction r > i.

For the ray AQ, the angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle for the pair of media (i.e., i = C), so it is partly reflected as QB’ and
partly refracted as QC’ at the angle of refraction r equal to 90 0.

For the ray AR, the angle of incidence is greater than the critical angle (i > C), so it is totally reflected as RB” at an angle of reflection
r = i, and no refraction occurs.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (PART III)

Question 3: Which colour of light has higher critical angle ? Red
VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS light or green light.
Question 1: How is the critical angle related to the refractive
Answer: As we know, the relation between critical angle and
index of a medium?
refractive index is
Answer: Knowing the refractive index of the denser medium with
respect to the rarer medium, we can calculate the critical angle
C for that pair of medium with the help of the relation
where, c is critical angle and μ is refractive index.

As μ for red light is less as compared to that for green light and
μ and c are inversely related.
Question 2: A light ray is incident from a denser medium on the
boundary separating it from a rarer medium at an angle of Hence, the critical angle of red light is higher than that of green
incidence equal to the critical angle. What is the angle of light.
refraction for the ray?
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
Answer: The angle of refraction becomes equal to 90° when a
light ray is incident from a denser medium on the boundary Question 1: What is meant by the statement 'the critical angle
separating it from a rarer medium at an angle of incidence equal for diamond is 24°'?
to the critical angle. Below diagram shows the path of the ray
when angle of incidence is equal to the critical angle: Answer: The statement 'the critical angle for diamond is 24°'
implies that at an incident angle of 24°, the angle of refraction
in the air will be 90° within the diamond.

If the incident angle is more than the critical angle then the ray
will suffer total internal reflection without any refraction.

Question 2: Name two factors which affect the critical angle for
a given pair of media. State how do the factors affect it.

Answer: The critical angle depends on two factors:

(a) The colour or wavelength of light — The refractive index of a

transparent medium decreases with the increase of wavelength
of light. (It is most for violet light and least for red light),
therefore the critical angle for a pair of media is least for the
violet light and most for the red light, i.e. the critical angle
18
increases with the increase in wavelength of light.
 RADIATION CLASSES
violet light and most for the red light, i.e. the critical angle
increases with the increase in wavelength of light.

(b) The temperature — On increasing the temperature of

medium, its refractive index decreases. So, the critical angle for
the pair of medium increases with increase in temperature.

Question 3: The refractive index of air with respect to glass is

expressed as

(a) Write down a similar expression for aμg in terms of the angles
i and r.

(b) If angle r = 90°, what is the corresponding angle i called?

(c) What is the physical significance of the angle i in part (b)?

Answer:

(b) When refractive angle r = 90° then, the corresponding angle

of incidence i will be equal to critical angle.

(c) The phenomenon of total internal reflection occurs when the

angle of incidence exceeds the value of i obtained in part (b).

Question 4: Mention one difference between the reflection of

light from a plane mirror and total internal reflection of light from
a prism.

Answer:

Question 5: State one advantage of using a total reflecting prism

as a reflector in place of a plane mirror.

Answer: The advantage of using a total reflecting prism as a

reflector in place of a plane mirror, is that the image is much
brighter and the brightness remains unchanged even after the
long use of the total reflecting device.

In the case of a plane mirror, the image is less bright and the
brightness gradually decreases as the silvering on mirror
becomes old and rough.

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RADIATION CLASSES

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