When the laser beam is refracted as it passes from air into water, identify how it is bent. Towards the normalAway from the normalI'm not sure
Question
When the laser beam is refracted as it passes from air into water, identify how it is bent.
- Towards the normal
- Away from the normal
- I'm not sure
Solution
Understanding Refraction of Light
When a laser beam passes from air (a less dense medium) into water (a denser medium), it experiences refraction, which is the bending of light as it changes speed entering a different medium.
-
Index of Refraction: The index of refraction for air is approximately 1.0, while for water, it is about 1.33. Since light travels faster in air than in water, this difference in density causes the light to refract.
-
Behavior of Light: According to Snell's Law, when light enters a denser medium, it bends towards the normal line (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence).
-
Conclusion: Since the laser beam moves from a less dense medium (air) into a denser medium (water), it will bend towards the normal.
Final Answer
The laser beam is bent towards the normal when it passes from air into water.
Similar Questions
A monochromatic laser beam has a wavelength of 514 nm in air. Calculate the wavelengthof the laser light when the beam propagates through water
bending of a wave as it passes from one medium to another.AreflectionBrefraction
What should be the value of x2𝑥2 in this experiment if the laser beam obeys the law of reflection? Neglect the experimental uncertainty.
A beam of light is incident at 60° on a planesurface. The reflected and refracted rays areperpendicular to each other, then refractive indexof the surface is:
A laser light beamed at the Moon takes 2.56 s to return after reflection at the Moon’ssurface. How much is the radius of the lunar orbit around the Earth?
Upgrade your grade with Knowee
Get personalized homework help. Review tough concepts in more detail, or go deeper into your topic by exploring other relevant questions.