13 Refraction of light Flashcards
1
Q
What is refraction?
A
Refraction is when a wave changes speed and sometimes direction when it enters a different medium.
2
Q
what is a medium?
A
A material
eg. water, air, sand
3
Q
What happens when you put a pencil in the glass of water?
A
it lookes bent or distorted
4
Q
what is really happening?
A
A light ray from the pencil travels to the surface of the water and refracts.
The ray then travels to the our eye.
Our brain assumes that light has travelled in a straight line.
It thinks the pencil is higher than it actually is, as the refracted ray appears to be coming from that position.
(the light bends and it appears bent although it is not)
