physics chapter 49

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to refraction at spherical surfaces and Snell's Law.

Refraction at Spherical Surfaces

The phenomenon of light bending across a curved spherical interface separating media with different refractive indices $n_1$ and $n_2$.

Snell's Law

The fundamental law of refraction governing the relationship between the angles and the refractive indices $n_1$ and $n_2$ at an interface.

Small Angle Approximation

The condition applied when angles are very small, allowing trigonometric functions to be approximated as $\tan(\theta) \to \theta$ and $\text{sin}(\theta) \to \theta$.