(a) Draw the ray diagram for refraction of light through a glass prism and mark angle of refraction and angle of deviation.
(b) When the path of a light ray refracted through a glass prism is reversed how will the angle of deviation change? Explain.
(a) Draw the ray diagram for refraction of light through a glass prism and mark angle of refraction and angle of deviation.
(b) When the path of a light ray refracted through a glass prism is reversed how will the angle of deviation change? Explain.
(a) The ray diagram for refraction of light through a glass prism is shown below:
(b) When the path of a light ray refracted through a glass prism is reversed, the angle of deviation remains the same. This is because the angle of deviation depends only on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media, which remain the same even when the path is reversed.
Marking Scheme
- 13 marks
Hint
Use Snell's law to relate the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction.
Quick Oral Answer
The angle of deviation of a prism is the angle between the incident ray and the emergent ray. It depends on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media. When the path of the light ray is reversed, the angle of deviation remains the same.
Analysis & Explanation
The ray diagram shows the refraction of light through a glass prism. The angle of refraction is the angle between the refracted ray and the normal to the surface of the prism. The angle of deviation is the angle between the incident ray and the emergent ray. When the path of the light ray is reversed, the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media remain the same, so the angle of deviation also remains the same.
Common Mistakes
- 1Forgetting to label the angle of deviation in the ray diagram.
- 2Thinking that the angle of deviation changes when the path is reversed.
Interesting Facts
The angle of deviation of a prism depends on the angle of incidence and the refractive indices of the two media.
A prism can be used to disperse white light into its component colors.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many marks does this question carry in CBSE Class 10 Science 2026?
This question carries 3 marks in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 examination.
Which chapter does this question come from in Science?
This question is from the chapter "Light — Reflection and Refraction" in the CBSE Class 10 Science syllabus.
What topic does this question cover in Science?
This question covers the topic "Refraction of Light" from CBSE Class 10 Science.
What type of question is this in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper?
This is a Short Answer question from Section C in the CBSE Class 10 Science 2026 paper.