Q105 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (13 April Shift 1) · Physics

According to corpuscular theory of light, Which is NOT the property of light?

  • A
    The velocity of light does not change after reflection
  • B
    Light travels in a straight line
  • Correct answer
    C
    The velocity of light in air is greater than in glass
  • D
    The velocity of light changes after refraction

Solution

According to Newton's corpuscular theory of light, light consists of tiny, perfectly elastic particles called corpuscles that travel in straight lines.

During reflection, the corpuscles undergo perfectly elastic collisions with the reflecting surface, meaning their speed remains unchanged.

To explain refraction, the theory assumes that corpuscles experience an attractive force when approaching a denser medium. This attractive force increases the normal component of their velocity, leading to the conclusion that the speed of light is greater in a denser medium (like glass) than in a rarer medium (like air).

Therefore, the statement that the velocity of light in air is greater than in glass contradicts the corpuscular theory.

Answer: The velocity of light in air is greater than in glass

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'C'.

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