Fibre Optics Flashcards
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of light as it crosses the boundary between different media.
What happens to light when it enters glass at an angle?
It is refracted and bends towards the normal.
What is the relationship between the angle of incidence and the angle of refraction?
The angle of incidence (i) is larger than the angle of refraction (r).
What happens to light when it leaves glass?
It bends away from the normal.
What is a medium?
A medium is a material through which light passes, such as glass or air.
What occurs when light enters a more optically dense medium?
It slows down and bends towards the normal.
What occurs when light enters a less optically dense medium?
It speeds up and bends away from the normal.
What is the refractive index?
The refractive index is a measure of how much a substance slows down light.
How is the refractive index calculated?
Refractive index = speed of light in vacuum / speed of light in a medium.
