大象传媒

Refraction of light

Different materials have different densities. Light waves may change direction at the boundary between two transparent materials. is the change in direction of a wave at such a boundary.

It is important to be able to draw to show the refraction of a light ray at a boundary.

A light ray travels from air to glass. The angle of incidence is 55 degrees. The angle of refraction is 33 degrees.
Figure caption,
A ray diagram showing refraction at the boundary between air and glass

Refraction can cause optical illusions as the light waves appear to come from a different position to their actual source.

Explaining refraction

Glass is denser than air, so a light ray passing from air into glass slows down. If the ray meets the boundary at an angle to the , it bends towards the normal.

The reverse is also true. A light ray speeds up as it passes from glass into air, and bends away from the normal by the same angle.

Image gallerySkip image gallerySlide 1 of 3, Light ray hits glass block at right angles to surface. Wave slows, its wavelength decreases as it enters glass. As wave returns to air, speed and wavelength increase to original values.,