where are the incident and refracted rays located in relation to the normal
incident is on the side the light is coming from, the refracted ray is the light going away from the source.
The normal is an imaginary line perpendcular to the surface of the material, perpendicular at the point where the incoming light hits the surface.
The incident and refracted rays are located in relation to the normal in the following way:
1. Incident Ray:
The incident ray is the ray of light that travels from the source towards the surface of the medium where it encounters the boundary. Its direction is determined by the angle of incidence (θi) which is measured between the incident ray and the normal. The incident ray is always on the same side of the normal as the source of light.
To identify the incident ray, you need to draw a line from the source of light towards the surface of the medium in such a way that it makes an angle θi with the normal. Remember that the incident ray originates at the source and moves towards the boundary.
2. Refracted Ray:
The refracted ray is the ray of light that is bent as it crosses the boundary between two different mediums. Its direction is determined by the angle of refraction (θr) which is measured between the refracted ray and the normal. The refracted ray is always on the opposite side of the normal as the incident ray.
To identify the refracted ray, you need to draw a line from the surface of the medium where the incident ray encounters the boundary. This line should be bent in such a way that it makes an angle θr with the normal. The refracted ray continues its path within the medium.
In summary, the incident ray is on the same side of the normal as the light source, while the refracted ray is on the opposite side of the normal to the incident ray.