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Refraction of Light Through Plane and Curved Surfaces

Physics · 50 practice questions

Explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of light in media; laws of refraction; refractive index — determination using Snell's law, real and apparent depth, lateral displacement; critical angle and total internal reflection; the glass prism (minimum deviation formula); types of lenses; lens formula and Newton's formula; magnification.

  • Determine the refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell's law and the principle of real and apparent depth.
  • Determine conditions for total internal reflection and its application to mirages, periscopes and optical fibres.
  • Use the lens formula and ray diagrams to solve optical problems and calculate the refractive index of a glass prism using the minimum deviation formula.

Try a few questions

  1. Practice question 1

    A coin lies at the bottom of a pool of water 1.2m deep (refractive index of water 1.33). Its apparent depth is approximately

    • A.0.90 m
    • B.1.60 m
    • C.1.2 m
    • D.0.33 m
    Show the answer

    A. 0.90 m

    Apparent depth = real depth ÷ refractive index = 1.2 ÷ 1.33 ≈ 0.90 m.

  2. Practice question 2

    Minimum deviation of a light ray passing through a prism occurs when the ray passes through the prism

    • A.at the largest possible angle of incidence
    • B.at the smallest possible angle of incidence, close to 0°
    • C.symmetrically, with the angle of incidence equal to the angle of emergence
    • D.along a path exactly parallel to the prism's base
    Show the answer

    C. symmetrically, with the angle of incidence equal to the angle of emergence

    The symmetric path through the prism is specifically the condition that produces minimum deviation.

  3. Practice question 3

    The critical angle is best described as the angle of incidence in the denser medium for which the angle of refraction is

    • A.0°
    • B.90°
    • C.45°
    • D.180°
    Show the answer

    B. 90°

    At the critical angle, the refracted ray grazes exactly along the boundary between the two media, at 90°.

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