Refraction of Light

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the refraction of light based on the lecture notes.

Refraction

Change in direction of light when a ray crosses into a new medium.

Medium

Material that light rays are travelling through (plural = media).

Optical Density

How closely particles are together in a substance.

Angle of Refraction

The angle at which light bends when it enters a different medium.

Index of Refraction (n)

The ratio of the speed of light in a vacuum to the speed of light in a material.

Total Internal Reflection

Occurs when light moving from a slow to a fast medium refracts so much that it does not escape.

Apparent Depth

The depth at which objects appear when viewed through a medium like water.

Velocity of Light in a Medium

Calculated using the formula v = c/n, where c is the speed of light in vacuum and n is the index of refraction.

Bending of Light

Light rays bend when they travel from one medium to another, depending on the optical densities.

Phenomena Due to Refraction

Visual effects caused by the bending of light, such as a bent spoon in water.