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

the ray of light should approach normal

Step-by-step 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