The drawings show two examples in which a ray of light is refracted at the interface between two liquids. In each example the incident ray is in liquid

A and strikes the interface at the same angle of incidence. In one case the ray is refracted into liquid

B, and in the other it is refracted into liquid

C. The dashed lines denote the normals to the interfaces.

D. Rank the indices of refraction of the three liquids in descending order (largest first).

Question

Physics

Lance Long

12 May, 23:45

The drawings show two examples in which a ray of light is refracted at the interface between two liquids. In each example the incident ray is in liquid

A and strikes the interface at the same angle of incidence. In one case the ray is refracted into liquid

B, and in the other it is refracted into liquid

C. The dashed lines denote the normals to the interfaces.

D. Rank the indices of refraction of the three liquids in descending order (largest first).

+4

Answers (1)

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April Mathis · Answer 1

Possible options:

A. nA, nC, nB

B. nA, nB, nC

C. nC, nB, nA

D. nC, nA, nB

E. nB, nA, nC

Answer is D

Explanation:

When the light is refracted into liquid B it is bent away from the normal, so that nA > nB. When the light is refracted into liquid C it is bent toward the normal, so that nC > nA. Therefore, we conclude that nC > nA > nB