Refraction Flashcards
1
Q
What affects the speed of a wave?
A
The density of the substance or medium it’s travelling through.
2
Q
What is refraction?
A
The change in speed and wavelength causing a wave to change direction too.
3
Q
What happens if a light wave hits a boundary ‘face on’ ?
A
It slows down but carries on in the same direction. The wavelength does however get shorter
4
Q
What happens if a light wave hits a different medium at an angle?
A
Part of the wave hits the boundary first and slows down while another part carries on at a faster speed until it meets the boundary. So the wave changes direction - Refraction
