Facts of Physics - Refraction

Flashcards about refraction and index of refraction.

Refraction

The bending of light as it passes through different substances.

Cause of Refraction

Caused by changes in the speed of light as it passes from one material to another.

Light rays entering a material in which their speed decreases

The rays bend toward the normal.

Light rays entering a material in which their speed increases

The rays bend away from the normal.

The bigger the angle of incidence

The bigger the angle of refraction.

The more the change in speed

The more the light ray changes direction.

Angle of incidence and angle of refraction

Both measured from the normal.

Speed of light in air

300 million m/s, and is labeled c.

Index of refraction (n)

Defined as c/v, where c is the speed of light in air, and v is the speed of light in a material.