Light traveling in a transparent medium with an index of refraction n₁ is incident on a transparent boundary with a second transparent medium with an index n₂. Very little light is transmitted into the second medium. Which of the following statements must be true? A) n₁ equals n₂ B) n1 is somewhat greater than n₂ C) n₂is somewhat greater than n₁ D) n₂ is much greater than n₁ E) Either index of refraction is much greater than the other.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When very little light is transmitted into the second medium, it suggests a significant mismatch in the indices of refraction, meaning one index is much greater than the other, causing most of the light to be reflected.

Light Traveling in a Transparent Medium with an Index of Refraction