When light in air or a vacuum enters the plane surface of a dense, transparent medium at an angle to the perpendicular to this surface, which way does the light ray bend?
A) The light ray bends away from the perpendicular.
B) The light ray does not bend at all because the material is transparent.
C) The light ray bends toward the perpendicular.
D) The light ray bends so that, whatever the incoming angle, the light travels along the perpendicular to the surface.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When light moves from a less dense medium (like air or vacuum) to a denser medium (like glass or water), it slows down and bends towards the perpendicular to the surface at the point of entry. This phenomenon is described by Snell's Law of refraction.

When Light in Air or a Vacuum Enters the Plane