Figure P 35.24 shows a light ray incident on a series of...

Name: Problem 24, Chapter 35: Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
Uploaded: 2020-06-06T08:04:06-08:00
Duration: 1 min 6 s
Channel: Zulfiqar Ali
Description: Figure P 35.24 shows a light ray incident on a series of slabs having different refractive indices, where n1 < n2 < n3 < n4 . Notice that the path of the ray steadily bends toward the normal. If the variation in n were continuous, the path would form a smooth curve. Use this idea and a ray diagram to explain why you can see the Sun at sunset after it has fallen below the horizon.

Figure $\mathrm{P} 35.24$ shows a light ray incident on a series of slabs having different refractive indices, where $n_{1} < n_{2} < n_{3} < n_{4}$ . Notice that the path of the ray steadily bends toward the normal. If the variation in $n$ were continuous, the path would form a smooth curve. Use this idea and a ray diagram to explain why you can see the Sun at sunset after it has fallen below the horizon.

Figure $\mathrm{P} 35.24$ shows a light ray incident on a series of slabs having different
refractive indices, where $n_{1} < n_{2} < n_{3} < n_{4}$ . Notice that the path of the ray steadily bends toward the normal. If the variation in $n$ were continuous, the path would form a smooth curve. Use this idea and a ray diagram to explain why you can see the Sun at sunset after it has fallen below the horizon.

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Key Concepts

Atmospheric Refraction

Atmospheric refraction is the phenomenon where light changes direction as it passes through layers of the Earth's atmosphere with varying refractive indices. This bending of light can make the Sun visible even when it is geometrically below the horizon, as the light from the Sun is refracted upward into the observer’s line of sight.

Refraction

Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another or through a medium whose properties change gradually. This bending occurs because light travels at different speeds in different media, which causes the light ray to change its direction at the interface or continuously in a graded medium.

Refractive Index Gradient

A refractive index gradient refers to a continuous change in the refractive index of a medium, rather than an abrupt change. In the atmosphere, for example, the density—and hence the refractive index—changes with altitude, causing the path of light to curve smoothly rather than abruptly.

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