refraction

• What is the phenomenon called when light waves change direction as they pass from one medium to another?

  Refraction
• Why do waves travel at different speeds in different materials?

  Because different materials have different densities
• How does the density of a material affect the speed of electromagnetic waves like light?

  The higher the density, the slower the wave travels
• What happens to a light wave when it travels from air into glass?

  It slows down and bends towards the normal
• What is the normal line in the context of refraction?

  A dashed line perpendicular to the surface at the point of incidence
• What occurs when a wave hits the boundary at an angle?

  It is refracted, changing its direction
• In a ray diagram, what do we call the ray that enters a more dense medium?

  The refracted ray
• What should you do when drawing a ray diagram for light passing through glass?

  Draw the normal at the point of incidence and show the bending of the ray
• What happens to the light ray when it passes from glass to air?

  It speeds up and bends away from the normal
• What are the angles that need to be included in a ray diagram?

  The angle of incidence and the angle of refraction
• What does the wave speed equation state?

  Wave speed equals frequency times wavelength
• What remains constant when a wave passes from one medium to another?

  The frequency of the wave
• What happens to the wavelength of a wave when its speed increases?

  The wavelength must increase as well
• How do different wavelengths of light behave when passing through a triangular prism?

  They are refracted by different amounts, spreading out like a rainbow
• What is the process of drawing a ray diagram for light refraction through glass?

  1. Draw the normal at the point of incidence.
  2. Indicate the incident ray.
  3. Draw the refracted ray bending towards the normal.
  4. Draw the normal again at the exit point.
  5. Indicate the emergent ray bending away from the normal.
  6. Label the angles of incidence and refraction.
• What are the key concepts related to the refraction of light waves?

  • Refraction occurs when light changes direction between mediums.
  • Different densities affect wave speed.
  • The normal line is crucial for ray diagrams.
  • Wavelength changes while frequency remains constant.
  • Different colors of light refract differently through prisms.