Refraction

• What is the phenomenon called 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
• Why do waves travel at different speeds in different materials?

  Because different materials have different densities
• What happens to a wave when it travels from a less dense medium to a more dense medium?

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

  A dashed line perpendicular to the surface
• How does the direction of a wave change when it hits a boundary at an angle?

  It refracts and changes direction
• What happens to a light ray when it enters a more dense medium?

  It bends towards the normal
• What is the first step in drawing a ray diagram for refraction?

  Draw the normal at the point of incidence
• If the incident ray does not change direction, how would it appear in a ray diagram?

  As a straight line continuing through
• What do we call the ray that emerges from the glass after refraction?

  Emergent ray
• What happens to the speed of a wave when it passes from glass to air?

  It speeds up
• According to the wave speed equation, what remains constant when a wave changes medium?

  Frequency
• What changes when the speed of a wave increases?

  Wavelength increases
• How do different wavelengths of light behave when passing through a triangular prism?

  They are refracted by different amounts
• What are the steps to draw a ray diagram for light refraction through glass?

  1. Draw the normal at the point of incidence.
  2. Draw the incident ray towards the glass.
  3. Draw the refracted ray bending towards the normal.
  4. Draw the normal again at the exit point.
  5. Draw the emergent ray bending away from the normal.
  6. Label the angles of incidence and refraction.
• What is the relationship between wave speed, frequency, and wavelength?

  • Wave speed = frequency × wavelength
  • Frequency remains constant during refraction.
  • Wavelength changes when speed changes.
• What is the effect of white light passing through a prism?

  • White light contains all visible wavelengths.
  • Different colors bend to different degrees.
  • Results in a spectrum or rainbow effect.