If the angle of refraction of a light ray is equal to zero,then does the light ray remain undeviated?

Question

the angle of refraction=0 degrees
the incedent ray=any measure

Answer 1

No, with the exceptions that the angle of incidence is either 0 or 90 degrees (in this case, light will not enter the 2nd medium nd therefore cannot be refracted).

The 2 angles are the measure of the differecne between the ray (incident or refracted) and the normal line . A 0-degree deviance from the nornal lime suggests that the light is now perpendicular to the surface where it entered the 2nd medium. If the light hits this interface at 0 degrees incidence (perpendicular to the normal line as well), the angle would not change.

However, at any other angle, it would mean the ray changed direction, so the ray deviated.

Just for additional info, this would also mean that the 2nd medium has a higher index of refraction compared to the 1st, since a transition from a low to a high refractive index would mean the light is bent towards the normal line.

Answer 2

There can be no refraction if the angle of refraction is zero.
For refraction to occur, a light ray must go from one medium to another medium. This is when refraction occurs; at the surface where the two medium meet.

However, if reflection occurs, the angle of reflection can be zero! The incident ray and the reflected ray both lie on the same line.

Angle of refraction cannot be equal to 0 degrees nor greater than the critical angle.
Angle of reflection cannot be greater than 90 degrees.

The angles, of course, are measured from the normal: the line perpendicular from the surface at which reflection or refraction occurs.

Hope I'm not confusing!

Answer 3

Oh, naughtiest young lady, if the angle of refraction is zero,ie if the ray runs along the surface of the refracting medium,the angle of incidence must be different from zero.So there is deviation.If you mean it is same medium for incidence and refraction how can there be a bend?

Answer 4

When a ray of light enters from a rarer medium into a denser medium,

the refractive index is given by the formula (mu) = sin i / sin r.

Therefore, sin i = (mu) sin r.

(mu) is greater than one.

If r = 0, sinr= 0, Hence sin i = 0. That means angle of incidence is zero.

The ray is incident normally and hence it goes undeviated.

When a ray of light enters from a rarer medium into a denser medium,

in the above formula r is the angle of incidence and i is the angle of refraction.

Again when i = 0, r =0.

Even if the ray enters from a denser medium normally it comes out with out any deviation.

Answer 5

If you are measuring the angle of refraction, relative to a line perpendicular to the refractive surface. Then as per snell's law, the angle of incidence would also be zero, hence no deviation.

Snells Law: n1*sin(angle_of_incidence) = n2*sin(angle_of_refraction)

Where n1 and the n2 are the refractive indices of the medium of incidence and the medium of retraction respectively.

Answer 6

remains undeviated when incident perpendicularly and deviates sligtly when ray is passing from rare to denser medium such that angle of refraction is zero.

Answer 7

not necessarily. the angle of incidence could also be different. its only the angle of refraction that is zero

Answer 8

If light comes in perpendicular to your surface, then there is no deviation due to refraction.