Behavior & Refraction of Light

hypothetical line drawn that is perpendicular to or at a 90degree right angle to a surface and extending into the medium.

normal

an angle made by a ray of light with respect to the normal before interacting with the surface. It is measured with RESPECT to the normal, NOT the surface!

angle of incidence

an angle made by a ray of light with respect to the normal after interaction with the surface of the medium

angle of refraction

an angle made by a ray with respect to the normal AFTER interacting with a surface. This angle, measured with respect to the normal, is EQUAL TO the angle of incidence

Angle of reflection

the angle of incidence is equal to the...

angle of reflection

not as thick, less dense

rarer

thicker

denser

T or F: light behaves EXACTLY the same in ANY medium. The refracted light ray will bend toward the normal.

true

T or F: Light entering a medium slows and bends toward the normal (rarer to denser)

true

T or F: light exiting a medium accelerates and bends away from the normal (denser to rarer)

true