Light Refraction Flashcards
1
Q
as light moves from one medium to another the change of speed results in
A
the light bending
2
Q
3 rules for light refraction
A
- the incident ray, refracted ray, and normal all lie in the same plane
- the incident ray, and refracted ray are on opposite sides of the line that separates the two mediums
Fast to slow goes towards normal
slow to fast goes away from normal
3
Q
equation to compare the speed of light through a medium to a vacuum
A
n=c/v
n has no units, and is the refractive index of medium (chart)
c is the speed of light in the vacuum
v is the speed of light in the medium
4
Q
the larger the number
A
the slower the speed
5
Q
Total internal reflection
A
- light bends away from the normal when the second medium is faster
- if the angle of incidence gradually increases it will eventually hit a critical angle
- critical angle is when the angle of refraction is 90 degrees
- past this point light will no longer leave the medium
6
Q
Total internal reflection (rules ish)
A
- light travels slower in the first medium compared to the second (slow - fast = away from normal)
- the angle of incidence is large enough that no refraction occurs in the second medium, instead it is reflected back into the medium
7
Q
Total internal reflection is used in
A
fiber optics
prisms (think submarine looky thingy)
retroreflectors (road signs)
8
Q
phenomenon’s that occur due to refraction
A
apparent depth
mirage
rainbow
