5.1 Refraction of light

Question 1

Define refraction

Answer 1

change of direction of a wave when it crosses a boundary where its speed changes

Question 2

State how the light ray bends when passing into a more dense substance and less dense substance.

Answer 2

The light ray bends :
-towards the normal when it passes into more dense substance

-away from the normal when it passes into a less dense substance

Question 3

Define refractive index

Answer 3

speed of light in free space / speed of light in the substance

Question 4

For a light ray travelling from air into a transparent substance, what is the equation for finding the refractive index?

Answer 4

The refractive index of the substance , n = sin i / sin r