Refraction Flashcards
What is refraction?
Refraction is the change in direction of light on passing from one medium to another because of change in speed.
What happens when you look through a glass of water?
The background appears distorted because of refraction.
What is a medium in terms of light?
A medium is the material that light passes through. Examples include air, glass, and water.
What is the speed of light in air?
The speed of light in air is 300,000 kilometres per second.
How does the speed of light change in water?
The speed of light in water is 225,000 kilometres per second.
How does the speed of light change in glass?
The speed of light in glass is 200,000 kilometres per second.
What can cause light to change direction?
The change of speed when light passes from one medium to another can cause it to change direction.
What analogy is used to explain refraction?
The analogy of roller skates is used, where one skate moves slower on grass, causing a change in direction.
What happens to light when it passes from air into glass or water?
The light slows down and changes direction, bending towards the normal.
How does the angle of incidence compare to the angle of refraction when light passes from air into glass or water?
The angle of incidence is greater than the angle of refraction.
What happens to light when it passes from glass or water into air?
The light speeds up and changes direction, bending away from the normal.
How does the angle of refraction compare to the angle of incidence when light passes from glass or water into air?
The angle of refraction is greater than the angle of incidence.
What is a common everyday effect of refraction?
Refraction can make it difficult to see clearly through wet windows due to individual water drops refracting light in different directions.
Why do vehicles have windscreen wipers?
Windscreen wipers remove water drops from the glass, making it easier to see clearly by aligning the refraction.
What is refraction?
Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another.
How is refraction useful?
Refraction is useful in lenses used in our eyes, cameras, and glasses.
What is a lens?
A lens is a curved piece of glass designed to refract light in a known way.
How does light travel in water compared to air?
Light travels slower in water than it does in air.
Example: Light travels faster in air than in water.
How does light travel in air compared to glass?
Light travels faster in air than it does in glass.
Example: Light travels slower in glass than in air.
What happens during the refraction of light?
Refraction of light happens when light changes direction because of a change in medium.
What should be included in a ray diagram showing light entering glass?
The diagram should include the normal, the angle of incidence, the refracted ray, and the angle of refraction.
What should be included in a ray diagram showing light entering air from water?
The diagram should include the normal, the angle of incidence, the refracted ray, and the angle of refraction.
