refraction of waves

• What happens to light when it passes through water?

  The light appears to change direction due to refraction
• What causes waves to change direction?

  Waves can change direction when they change speed moving from one medium to another
• How does a ray diagram illustrate refraction?

  It shows a ray of light entering a glass block and changing direction
• What happens to the velocity of light when it passes from air into glass?

  The velocity of light decreases
• What does the normal line represent in a ray diagram?

  The normal line is drawn at right angles to the surface of the glass
• What happens to light waves when they slow down?

  They bend towards the normal
• What occurs when light waves pass from glass back to air?

  Their velocity increases and they bend away from the normal
• What is an important exception to the rule of refraction?

  If waves enter or leave the medium at right angles, they do not change direction
• What is a wavefront?

  A wavefront is an imaginary line connecting all the same points in a set of waves
• How can wavefronts help visualize waves moving together?

  Wavefronts make it easier to visualize lots of waves moving together
• What happens to wavefronts when they enter a different medium?

  Parts of the wavefront slow down, causing them to get closer together
• What is the effect of a wavefront slowing down on its direction?

  It causes the waves to change direction towards the normal
• What happens when the whole wavefront slows down at the same time?

  The waves do not change direction
• What are the key concepts of refraction in waves?

  • Waves change direction when they change speed.
  • Refraction occurs when waves pass from one medium to another.
  • Light slows down when entering a denser medium (like glass).
  • Light speeds up when leaving a denser medium (like glass).
  • Waves do not change direction if they enter or leave at right angles.
• What are the differences between ray diagrams and wavefront diagrams?

  • Ray diagrams illustrate the path of light rays and their direction changes.
  • Wavefront diagrams visualize the wavefronts and their behavior as they enter different media.
  • Ray diagrams focus on individual rays, while wavefront diagrams show collective wave behavior.
• How can you explain refraction using wavefront diagrams?

  • Wavefronts slow down when entering a denser medium.
  • The wavelength decreases as wavefronts get closer together.
  • The change in speed causes the direction of the waves to bend towards the normal.
  • If the entire wavefront slows down simultaneously, the direction remains unchanged.