Question

Explain rectilinear propagation of light with an experiment

Answer 1

If light could bend around corners, you would have been able to see what is happening upstairs in the bedroom when you are standing downstairs in the garden. The property of light travelling in straight line in a medium is called rectilinear propagation of light.
Expiriment
Aim:to show that light travels in straight line
materials required:a lo g straight atraw and a source of light.
Procedure:1. hold a long straight straw for a long, straight rubber tube. Hold it in front of the source of light such that one end of the tube is towards the source.
2. look at the electic bulb through the other open end of the straw or tube. You will be able to see the light.
3. now bend the tube and look through it and see what happends. You will not bb able to see any light.
Conclusion:light travela in a straight line.

Answer 2

RECTILINEAR PROPERTY OF LIGHT

1)According to FERMAT'S PRINCIPLE,

light takes the path that takes the minimum time to traverse.

2)Generally light chooses the straight path which is the shortest path connecting any two points according to euclidean geometry.

Experiment

1)Take one candle and 3 cardboards for the experiment

2)Then place them in a line as shown in the attachment.

3)Make 3 holes in cardboard such that the holes are in same line with the candle as in the attachment shown above.

4)Light up the candle and see the light thought the holes. You will see that it is coming in a straight line and is clearly visible.

5)Then move any one of the cardboard slightly from it's postition and then you will see that you can't observe the light that was earlier visible as the 3 holes were not in straight line now.

THIS PROVES LINE TRAVELS IN A STRAIGHT LINE.

thanks