Question

Write an activity to observe the light refraction at curved surface.

Answer 1

Procedure and observation :

• Draw an arrow of length 4 cm using a black sketch pen on a thick sheet of paper. 
• Take an empty cylindrical-shaped transparent vessel. 
• Keep it on the table.
• Ask your friend to bring the sheet of paper on which arrow was drawn behind the vessel while you look at it from the other side. 
• We will see a diminished image of the arrow. 
• Ask your friend to fill vessel with water. 
• Look at the arrow from the same position as before. 
• We can observe an inverted image.

Explanation : 

• In the first case, when the vessel is empty, light from the arrow refracts at the curved interface, moves through the glass, enters in to air then it again undergoes refraction on the opposite curved surface of vessel and comes out into the air. 
• In this way light travels through two media, comes out of the vessel and forms a diminished image.
• In the second case, light enters the curved surface, moves through water, comes out of the glass and forms an inverted image.