Two objects with indices of refraction n_a and n_b are placed in the same liquid substance and have their critical angles measured(a function of both the material and the liquid) as shown. If experiment shows that

a. na

b. na > na

c. na = na

Sol89:

It\\\'s not clear what is shown in the diagram, so it\\\'s difficult to provide a specific explanation. However, in general:

The critical angle is the angle of incidence at which light is refracted at an angle of 90 degrees relative to the normal of the interface between two media. This occurs when the angle of refraction is 90 degrees, which happens when the sine of the angle of incidence is equal to the reciprocal of the refractive index of the second medium.

If the critical angles for two objects with refractive indices n_a and n_b are measured in the same liquid substance and it is found that na nb, then the refractive index of object a is higher than that of object b in the liquid. If na = nb, then both objects have the same refractive index in that particular liquid.