Science (086) — AI-generated practice question

Concave Mirror (Reflection):
When a ray of light strikes a concave mirror obliquely, it bounces back (reflects) such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection. The direction changes due to reflection — the ray does not pass through the surface; it simply bounces off the polished reflecting surface.

Glass Slab (Refraction):
When a ray strikes the glass slab obliquely, it bends towards the normal on entering (air to glass, denser medium) and away from the normal on exiting (glass to air, rarer medium). The direction changes due to refraction — caused by the change in speed of light as it travels from one transparent medium to another.

Key Difference: In a mirror, direction changes due to reflection (no penetration); in a glass slab, direction changes due to refraction (change in speed of light in different media).

Source: Chapter 9, Sections 9.1 (Reflection of Light) and 9.3.1 (Refraction through a Rectangular Glass Slab)

---

• Examiners look for two named phenomena (reflection vs. refraction) and two distinct physical reasons.
• For the mirror: state the law — angle of incidence = angle of reflection.
• For the glass slab: state that bending is due to change in speed of light, and mention the direction of bending (towards/away from normal).
• Do not confuse "the ray bouncing back" (reflection) with "the ray bending and passing through" (refraction). This contrast is the core of the answer.