PHYSICS · Single correct · CBSE · Physics · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments · Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
Problem
Freshly cut diamonds exhibit extraordinary brilliance. Which of the following statements gives the principal physical reason?
(a) They possess a large dispersive power that splits white light into its constituent colours, and the mixture of these coloured rays gives the stone its brilliance.
(b) Their carbon lattice absorbs ultraviolet radiation and re-emits it as intense visible light, making the stone appear exceptionally bright.
(c) They have a very high refractive index, giving a small critical angle; therefore most of the light entering the diamond undergoes repeated total internal reflections before emerging.
(d) Their small critical angle allows almost all of the incident light to refract out of the diamond rather than remain trapped, so almost no light is lost inside.