Refraction of Light Through at Plane and

Contents & notes: what this topic covers

Under Refraction of Light Through at Plane and, the JAMB Physics syllabus expects you to study:

• 25. Refraction of Light Through at Plane and Curved Surfaces
• (i) laws of refraction;
• (ii) explanation of refraction in terms of velocity of light in the media;
• (iii) definition of refractive index of a medium;
• (iv) determination of refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law;
• (v) real and apparent depth and lateral displacement;
• (vi) critical angle and total internal reflection.
• (b) Glass Prism
• (i) use of the minimum deviation formula: v  A + D sin  U=  2   A sin   2
• (ii) type of lenses; triangular, rectangular etc.
• (iii) use of lens formula: 1 1 1 = + and Newton’s formular (F2 = ab) f u
• (v) magnification.

Study notes & guidance

Study Refraction of Light Through at Plane and using a recommended Physics textbook that follows the JAMB syllabus. Work through the contents listed above one by one, make brief notes in your own words, and then practise as many questions on this topic as you can — in Physics, understanding and steady practice matter far more than memorising. Use the objectives below as a checklist: if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Objectives — candidates should be able to

After studying Refraction of Light Through at Plane and, you should be able to:

1. Interpret the laws of reflection;
2. Determine the refractive index of glass and liquid using Snell’s law;
3. Determination of focal length of curved surfaces
4. Determine the refractive index using the principle of real and apparent depth;
5. Determine the conditions necessary for total internal reflection;
6. Examine the use of periscope, prism, binoculars, optical fibre;
7. Apply the principles of total internal reflection to the formation of mirage;
8. Use of lens formula and ray diagrams to solve optical numerical problems;
9. Determine the magnification of an image;
10. Calculate the refractive index of a glass prism using minimum deviation formula;
11. Ray tracing through optical prism.

These objectives are from the official JAMB syllabus. Use them as a checklist — if you can do each one confidently, you have mastered this topic.

Source: official JAMB UTME Physics syllabus (IBASS, jamb.gov.ng). Reproduced for study use. Last checked: 17 Sept 2026. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.