2016 · Q40
Light travels in a straight line (rectilinear propagation of light). This statement does hold if the medium of travel for light is
General KnowledgePhysics
- Aof variable refractive index
- Bmade up of slabs of different refractive indices
- Chomogeneous and transparent
- Dinhomogeneous and transparent
Explanation
Light travels in straight lines only when the medium is homogeneous and transparent, so that the refractive index is uniform along the path. In a medium of variable or slab-wise different refractive index, light bends by refraction (as in mirages), violating rectilinear propagation.