Light travels from outside a building to inside through a pane of glass.Which of the following is true regarding the phase change upon reflection in the case? A)No phase change occurs at either the inside surface or the outside surface of the glass. B)A 180^o phase change occurs at both the inside surface and the outside surface. C)A 180^o phase change occurs at the inside surface but not at the outside surface. D)A 180^o phase change occurs at the outside surface but not at the inside surface.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When light travels from a medium of lower refractive index (air) to a medium of higher refractive index (glass), a 180-degree phase change occurs upon reflection at the boundary (outside surface of the glass). However, when light reflects off the inside surface (glass to air), there is no phase change because it is moving from a higher to a lower refractive index medium.

Light Travels from Outside a Building to Inside Through a Pane