The figure below is described verbally; no diagram is provided.
A monochromatic light wave is normally incident on a flat boundary that separates two transparent media. Assume no absorption occurs.
Case I: The light is traveling in solid glass of refractive index n1=1.52 toward liquid water of refractive index n2=1.33.
Case II: The light is traveling in water (n=1.33) toward the same glass (n=1.52).
(a) For Case I determine whether the reflected wave undergoes a 180∘ phase change (inversion). Justify your answer by referencing the relevant property of the two media.
(b) Repeat the determination and justification for Case II.
(c) Comparing your answers to parts (a) and (b), explain why knowledge of the relative speeds of propagation in the two media is sufficient to predict phase inversion at an optical boundary.