Physics
Which of the following is correct when a ray of light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium:
(1) speed will decrease
(2) frequency remains unchanged
(3) wavelength will decrease
(4) intensity will decrease
- (1)
- (1) and (4)
- (1), (2) and (4)
- all of the above
Answer
all of the above
Reason — When a ray of light passes from a rarer medium to a denser medium, the speed decreases due to the change in the refractive index of the medium. Frequency remains constant due to the nature of light itself, whereas, wavelength decreases as a consequence of the change in speed. Intensity also decreases as part of the light ray suffers reflection.
Related Questions
When light passes from a denser medium to a rarer medium, its wavelength :
- decreases
- increases
- remains the same
- none
Speed of light in vacuum is 3 x 108 m/s. Its speed in water will be :
[Given refractive index of water is 4/3]
- 3 x 108 m/s
- 2.25 x 108 m/s
- 2.5 x 108 m/s
- 4 x 108 m/s
The refractive index of water is 4/3 and that of glass is 3/2. The refractive index of glass with respect to water is:
- 9/8
- 2
- 8/9
- 1