5.4 Wave Properties: Refraction Flashcards
What do you call the process where a light ray changes direction when passing through the boundaries between two transparent substances?
The process where a light ray changes direction when passing through the boundary between two transparent substances is called refraction.
What is refraction?
Refraction is where a light ray changes direction when it crosses a boundary between two transparent substances.
Which key characteristics of a wave change during refraction and which stay the same?
The key characteristics of a wave that change during refraction are: Wave Speed and Wave Length. The key characteristic that stays the same during refraction is: Frequency.
What types of wave can refract?
All types of wave can refract.
What is it that causes the change in direction of a wave during refraction?
The thing that causes a change in direction of a wave during refraction is the change in speed of the wave.
What does a change in the speed of a wave during refraction affect?
The change in speed of a wave during refraction is what causes a change in direction of the wave.
What two key things happen when light travels across the boundary into a more dense substance?
The two key things that happen when light travels through the boundary into a more dense substance are: The light SLOWS DOWN// The light ray changes direction TOWARDS THE NORMAL
What kind of substance must light be travelling into if the ray slows down and changes direction towards the normal?
If a light ray slows down and changes direction towards the normal it must be passing into a more dense substance.
What two key things happens when a light ray passes the boundary into a less dense substance?
The two key things that happen when a light ray passes through the boundary into a less dense substance are: The light SPEEDS UP// The ray changes direction AWAY FROM THE NORMAL
What type of substance must a light ray be passing into if it speeds up and changes direction away from the normal?
If a light ray speeds up and changes direction away from the normal it must be passing into a less dense substance.
What is an example of a time when a light ray would be passing from a less dense substance into a more dense substance?
An example of a time when a light ray would be passing from a less dense substance to a more dense substance would be travelling from air into glass.
What is an example of a time when a light ray would be passing from a more dense substance into a less dense substance?
An example of a time when a light ray would be passing from a more dense substance into a less dense substance would be when it passes from glass into air.
If a wave is travelling along the normal how will it change direction?
If a wave is travelling along the normal it will not change direction.
What does the colour of light affect?
The colour of light affects its wavelength.
What do we call the process of white light being shone on to a triangular glass prism and producing a spectrum?
The process where white light is shone onto a triangular glass prism and a spectrum is produced is called dispersion.
