2 Answers

KilyenOrs · Answer 1 · 2020-02-12T03:25:58+0000

Answer:

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

Step-by-step 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

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

From the diagram, we see that

$\theta_1 > \theta_2$

so

$sin \theta_1 > sin \theta_2$

and so

$(sin \theta_2)/(sin \theta_1)<1$

which means

$(n_1)/(n_2)<1\\n_1 < n_2$

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.

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