A light ray strikes a hexagonal ice crystal floating in the air perpendicular to one face,as shown below.The hexagonal faces of the crystal are perpendicular to the plane of the page.All the rays shown are in the plane of the page,and n_ice = 1.30.Which outgoing ray is correct when the incoming ray strikes the crystal face on the left head on? A)A B)B C)C D)D

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Snell's Law, light entering the crystal will bend towards the normal if it is entering a medium with a higher refractive index. Since the refractive index of ice is higher than air, the light ray will bend towards the normal as it enters the ice crystal. From the diagram, it can be seen that ray C is the only ray that is bent towards the normal as it enters the crystal. All the other rays are bent away from the normal. Therefore, the correct outgoing ray when the incoming ray strikes the crystal face on the left head on is C.

A Light Ray Strikes a Hexagonal Ice Crystal Floating in the Air