Refraction of waves

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

  Refraction
• What happens to light waves when they travel from air into glass?

  They slow down and change direction
• What do you need to know to understand refraction?

  Waves travel at different speeds in materials
• Why do waves travel at different speeds in different mediums?

  Different mediums have different densities
• How does the density of a material affect wave speed?

  The higher the density, the slower the wave
• What happens to a wave when it travels from a less dense medium to a more dense medium?

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

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

  It gets refracted and changes direction
• How do you draw a ray diagram for refraction?

  Draw the normal and incident ray, then refracted ray
• What should you do after drawing the normal in a ray diagram?

  Consider the direction of the refracted ray
• What is the emergent ray in a ray diagram?

  The ray that exits the second medium
• What must be labeled in a ray diagram?

  Angle of incidence and angle of refraction
• What happens to the speed of a wave as it passes from one medium to another?

  The speed changes depending on the medium
• According to the wave speed equation, what happens to wavelength when wave speed increases?

  Wavelength must also increase
• What remains constant when a wave passes between mediums?

  Frequency
• How do different wavelengths of light behave when passing through a prism?

  They are refracted by different amounts
• What is the process of light refraction through a triangular prism?

  1. White light enters the prism.
  2. Different wavelengths bend at different angles.
  3. Colors spread out, forming a rainbow.
• What is the outcome when white light passes through a triangular prism?

  It spreads out into a rainbow
• What are the key components of a ray diagram for refraction?

  • Incident ray
  • Normal line
  • Refracted ray
  • Emergent ray
  • Angles of incidence and refraction