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In refraction, light waves are bent on passing from one medium to the second medium, because in the second medium (a) the frequency is different (b) the coefficient of elasticity is different (c) the speed is different (d) the amplitude is smaller

Short Answer

Expert verified
(c) the speed is different.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Refraction

Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium into another, which causes a change in its speed. This change in speed causes the light wave to bend at the interface.
02

Analyzing the Properties of Light in Different Media

When light enters a different medium, its frequency remains constant, but its speed changes depending on the medium's properties. The change in speed leads to the bending of light, also known as refraction.
03

Identifying Variations in Medium Properties

Among the multiple-choice options, the speed of light in different media is the primary factor that influences the bending effect in refraction. The coefficient of elasticity and amplitude are not directly involved, and the frequency does not change.
04

Conclusion

The correct answer choice is (c) the speed is different, as this is the reason light bends when passing from one medium to another.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Speed of Light in Different Media
The speed of light is not constant but varies depending on the medium through which it travels.
This variation explains why light bends when it moves between different materials.
In a vacuum, light travels at about 299,792 kilometers per second, which is the fastest speed possible for light.
However, when light enters another medium, such as water, air, or glass, its speed decreases. This change in speed is crucial to understanding light refraction.

How much speed decreases depends upon the medium’s optical density:
  • **Air:** Light slows down slightly compared to a vacuum because air is not very dense.
  • **Water:** Light travels about 25% slower in water than it does in a vacuum.
  • **Glass:** Light experiences a more significant reduction, moving about 33% slower in common types of glass.

The change in speed causes light waves to bend, modifying their direction, a phenomenon known as refraction.
Properties of Light in Refraction
Light possesses several properties that affect how it behaves when it undergoes refraction.
Among these properties, its speed and wavelength change, but its frequency remains unchanged.
As light enters a new medium, the frequency remains constant because it is determined by the light source and is unaffected by changes in medium.

Here are key properties of light in refraction:
  • **Frequency:** Remains the same despite entering a new medium.
  • **Wavelength:** Changes due to speed variations; it becomes shorter or longer based on the medium.
  • **Intensity:** May change if part of the light is reflected or absorbed.

Understanding these properties helps to explain why light bends but retains the same coloring (frequency) when it shifts mediums.
Bending of Light Waves
The bending of light waves, known as refraction, occurs because of changes in speed as light passes through different media.
This bending is why objects underwater appear shifted or distorted.
Light slows down or speeds up when entering a medium with a different optical density, which results in a change of direction.

Factors influencing the bending include:
  • **Angle of Incidence:** The angle at which light hits the boundary between two media affects how much it bends.
  • **Refractive Index:** Each medium has a refractive index, a measure that determines how much light bends when entering that medium.

When light slows down, it bends towards the normal (a perpendicular line to the boundary), and when it speeds up, it bends away from the normal.
Through these principles, we can understand refraction effects in daily life, such as why a straw looks broken in a glass of water.

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