refraction

• What is the term for the length of a string in vibrations?

  The length
• What happens to waves at a boundary between two materials?

  They can be absorbed, transmitted, or reflected
• What are the three outcomes when a wave arrives at a boundary?

  1. Absorbed by the second material
  2. Transmitted through the second material
  3. Reflected back from the second material
• How does absorption of a wave affect energy?

  Energy is transferred to the material's energy store
• How does a microwave work in terms of wave absorption?

  It absorbs waves, transforming energy into heat
• What happens when a wave is transmitted through a material?

  The wave continues traveling through the new material
• What is refraction in the context of waves?

  Waves change direction at a boundary
• What determines how much a wave is refracted?

  How much the wave speeds up or slows down
• How does the density of materials affect wave speed?

  Higher density usually means slower wave speed
• What is the optical density of a material?

  It measures how quickly light travels through it
• What happens to the wavelength of a wave when it is refracted?

  The wavelength changes, but frequency stays the same
• What occurs when a light wave hits a boundary 'face on'?

  It continues in the same direction
• How does a wave behave when it meets a denser medium at an angle?

  It changes direction and bends towards the normal
• What analogy can help remember how waves bend in denser materials?

  A skier slowing down on rough ground
• What is a ray diagram used for in refraction?

  • Shows direction of wave travel
  • Illustrates angle of incidence and refraction
  • Helps visualize wave behavior at boundaries
• What is a wavefront?

  • A line showing points on a wave
  • All points are in the same position
  • Represents a given number of wavelengths
• What happens to a wavefront when it crosses a boundary at an angle?

  Part of the wavefront travels slower first
• What causes a wave to bend when crossing a boundary?

  Difference in distance traveled due to speed
• What tools do you need for drawing ray diagrams?

  A ruler, protractor, and sharp pencil
• What should you do when drawing an incident ray?

  Ensure it meets the normal at the boundary
• What is the angle between the incident ray and the normal called?

  The angle of incidence
• What happens to the angle of refraction if the second material is less optically dense?

  The angle of refraction is larger than incidence
• What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction in denser materials?

  The angle of refraction is smaller than incidence
• How does the speed of a wave change when entering a denser medium?

  The wave slows down and bends towards normal
• How does the wavefront change when a wave enters a denser medium?

  The wavefront gets pushed closer together
• What is the significance of drawing a ray diagram for refraction?

  It helps visualize wave behavior at boundaries
• What is the main purpose of a ray diagram?

  To show the direction of wave travel
• What is the role of the normal in ray diagrams?

  It is perpendicular to the boundary
• How do you draw the refracted ray in a ray diagram?

  It bends towards or away from the normal
• What happens to the speed of light in a material with higher optical density?

  Light travels slower in higher optical density
• How does the angle of incidence affect the angle of refraction?

  Higher incidence leads to larger refraction in less dense
• What is the effect of a wavefront crossing a boundary at an angle?

  It causes the wave to bend due to speed difference
• What is the first step in constructing a ray diagram?

  Draw a boundary line between two materials
• Why is it important to use a protractor when drawing ray diagrams?

  To accurately measure the angle of incidence
• What should you do if the second material is less optically dense?

  Draw the angle of refraction larger than incidence
• What is the relationship between wave speed and optical density?

  Higher optical density means lower wave speed
• How does the angle of incidence affect the bending of a wave?

  Greater incidence angles lead to more bending
• What happens to the wavefront when it enters a less dense medium?

  The wavefront spreads out and speeds up
• What is the angle of refraction when light enters a denser medium?

  It is smaller than the angle of incidence
• How does the speed of a wave change when it enters a less dense medium?

  The wave speeds up and bends away from normal