Laws of Refraction

Physics ⇒ Light and Optics

Laws of Refraction starts at 8 and continues till grade 12. QuestionsToday has an evolving set of questions to continuously challenge students so that their knowledge grows in Laws of Refraction. How you perform is determined by your score and the time you take. When you play a quiz, your answers are evaluated in concept instead of actual words and definitions used.

See sample questions for grade 10

A light ray enters from air (n = 1.0) into a medium with refractive index 1.6 at an angle of incidence of 45°. Calculate the angle of refraction. (sin 45° = 0.707)

A ray of light passes from glass (n = 1.5) into air (n = 1.0). If the angle of incidence in glass is 30°, calculate the angle of refraction in air. (Use sin 30° = 0.5)

A ray of light passes from medium X (n = 1.2) to medium Y (n = 1.6) at an angle of incidence of 40°. Calculate the angle of refraction. (sin 40° = 0.643)

A student observes that a coin placed at the bottom of a glass of water appears to be raised. Explain this observation using the laws of refraction.

Describe what happens to the speed and direction of light as it passes from air into glass.

Explain what is meant by the term 'refractive index'.

Explain why a pencil appears bent when placed in a glass of water.

Explain why the bottom of a swimming pool appears shallower than its actual depth.

If the angle of incidence is 30° and the angle of refraction is 20°, what is the refractive index of the second medium with respect to the first? (Use sin 30° = 0.5, sin 20° = 0.342)

If the refractive index of water is 1.33 and that of glass is 1.5, what is the refractive index of glass with respect to water?

If the speed of light in medium A is 2.0 × 10⁸ m/s and in medium B is 1.5 × 10⁸ m/s, what is the refractive index of B with respect to A?

State the first law of refraction (Snell's Law) in your own words.