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AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based
Unit 13: Geometric Optics
13.3 Refraction of Light
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What is refraction of light?
Bending of light
The angle of incidence is equal to the angle of refraction.
False
How is refraction defined in comparison to reflection?
Light bends, rather than bounces
What is Snell's Law used to describe?
Light bending during refraction
What is the angle of refraction when light passes from air at 30 degrees into water with a refractive index of 1.33?
22.
1
∘
22.1^\circ
22.
1
∘
Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium to another with a different
index
Match the variable in Snell's Law with its meaning:
1️⃣
n
1
n_{1}
n
1
- Refractive index of first medium
2️⃣
θ
1
\theta_{1}
θ
1
- Angle of incidence in first medium
3️⃣
n
2
n_{2}
n
2
- Refractive index of second medium
4️⃣
θ
2
\theta_{2}
θ
2
- Angle of refraction in second medium
Snell's Law is expressed as
n_{1}\sin\theta_{1} = n_{2}\sin\theta_{2}
θ
1
\theta_{1}
θ
1
in Snell's Law is the angle of incidence
What is the angle of refraction when light passes from air (
n
1
=
n_{1} =
n
1
=
1
1
1
) at
3
0
∘
30^\circ
3
0
∘
into water (
n
2
=
n_{2} =
n
2
=
1.33
1.33
1.33
)?
22.1^\circ
What does the refractive index of a material indicate?
Light slows down
The refractive index of glass is approximately
1.5
Total internal reflection occurs when the angle of incidence exceeds the critical angle.
True
What happens to light as the angle of incidence increases when it travels from a higher to a lower refractive index medium?
Bends away from normal
What is the angle of refraction when light passes from air (
n
1
=
n_{1} =
n
1
=
1
1
1
) to glass (
n
2
=
n_{2} =
n
2
=
1.5
1.5
1.5
) with an angle of incidence of
4
5
∘
45^\circ
4
5
∘
?
28.1^\circ
Glass has a higher
density
than air.
In reflection, the angle of incidence is equal to the
angle of reflection
.
True
The formula for reflection is
\theta_{i} = \theta_{r}
Total internal reflection is essential for devices like
fiber optic cables
.
True
What does Snell's Law describe?
Refraction of light
Snell's Law states that n_{1}\sin\theta_{1} = n_{2}\sin\theta_{2}</latex>, where
θ
1
\theta_{1}
θ
1
is the angle of incidence.
What is
n
2
n_{2}
n
2
in Snell's Law?
Refractive index of second medium
What is the refraction formula used to solve problems involving refraction?
\frac{\sin\theta_{1}}{\sin\theta_{2}} = \frac{n_{2}}{n_{1}}</latex>
In reflection, light bounces off a
surface
The extent of refraction depends on the angle of
incidence
In refraction, the refractive index of the medium affects the
angle
Match the variable in Snell's Law with its meaning:
n
1
n_{1}
n
1
↔️ Refractive index of first medium
θ
1
\theta_{1}
θ
1
↔️ Angle of incidence
n
2
n_{2}
n
2
↔️ Refractive index of second medium
θ
2
\theta_{2}
θ
2
↔️ Angle of refraction
The angle of refraction is always greater than the angle of incidence when light passes from a medium with a lower refractive index to a higher one.
False
What does Snell's Law relate in the context of light refraction?
Angles and refractive indices
What is the angle of refraction when light passes from air at 30 degrees into water with a refractive index of 1.33?
22.1^\circ</latex>
n
1
n_{1}
n
1
in Snell's Law represents the refractive index of the first medium.
True
θ
2
\theta_{2}
θ
2
in Snell's Law is measured relative to the normal.
True
Snell's Law describes how light bends when it passes from one medium to another with different
refractive
indices.
The refractive index of air is approximately
1.00
.
True
What is the critical angle when light travels from a medium with a higher refractive index to one with a lower refractive index?
90^\circ
Total internal reflection is used in fiber optic
cables
Glass has a higher refractive index than air.
True
Match the concept with its description:
Reflection ↔️ Light bounces off a surface
Refraction ↔️ Light bends as it passes between media
What does the refractive index measure?
Light slows in a material
The refractive index is calculated as the ratio of the speed of light in a
vacuum
to the speed of light in the material.
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