Question

A laser beam passing from n medium 1 to medium 2 is refracted as shown. Which is true?

Answer 1

We observe that the light bends away from the normal to the surfaces when going from medium 1 to medium 2.

So, angle of incidence in medium 2 > angle of refraction in medium 1

or, $\theta$ 2 > $\theta$ 1

So, sin $\theta$ 2 > sin $\theta$ 1

So,  (sin $\theta$ 2) / ( sin $\theta$ 1) > 1

From Snell's Law,

n1* sin $\theta$ 1 = n2* sin $\theta$ 2

So, n1 = n2* (sin $\theta$ 2) / ( sin $\theta$ 1)

So, n1 > n2   

So, medium 1 has more refractive index than medium 2

So, n1 > n2 <---------answer