What is the phenomenon called when light bends as it passes through a ...
Refraction is the phenomenon of light bending as it passes through a medium with a different refractive index.
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What is the phenomenon called when light bends as it passes through a ...
Understanding Refraction
Refraction is the phenomenon where light bends when it passes through a medium with a different refractive index. This bending occurs due to the change in the speed of light as it moves from one material to another.
Key Points about Refraction:
- Refractive Index: Each material has a specific refractive index, which quantifies how much the speed of light is reduced in that medium compared to its speed in a vacuum. For example, the refractive index of water is approximately 1.33.
- Change in Speed: When light enters a medium with a higher refractive index, it slows down and bends towards the normal (an imaginary line perpendicular to the surface). Conversely, when light exits to a medium with a lower refractive index, it speeds up and bends away from the normal.
- Snell's Law: The relationship between the angles of incidence and refraction is described by Snell's Law. It states that the ratio of the sine of the angles is equal to the ratio of the refractive indices of the two media.
- Practical Examples: Refraction is responsible for various optical phenomena, such as:
- The distortion seen when looking at objects underwater.
- The rainbow effect observed when light passes through a prism.
Applications of Refraction:
- Lenses: Refraction is crucial in the design of lenses used in glasses, cameras, and microscopes.
- Fiber Optics: It enables efficient transmission of light signals over long distances in communication technology.
In summary, refraction is an essential concept in optics, explaining how light interacts with different materials and leading to numerous applications in daily life and technology.