CP4c Refraction Flashcards
Refraction
When a wave changes direction as it enters a different medium
Refraction occurs at the interface…
between two media
interface
boundary
Normal line
A line at right angles to the interface
An object on the bottom of a swimming pool looks closer than it really is because
Light reflected by it changes direction when it leaves the water
Light refracts towards the normal when…
the medium changes from air to glass
Light refracts away from the normal when…
the medium changes from glass to air
Light travelling along the normal line…
Does not change change direction when it goes into another medium
Waves can travel through many different media but with…
different speeds
Light travels faster in air than in
glass or water
As light passes the interface between one medium to another it changes speed. The change in speed is causes the…
Direction of the light to change
The greater the difference in speed between the two media…
The more the light is bent
When light slows down, it bends…
towards the normal
The speed of waves on water depends on…
How deep the water is
Waves moving from deep water into shallow water…
Slow down and change direction
