Refractive Index Flashcards
1
Q
What is refraction?
A
When waves change direction as they enter a different medium (caused by change in the density from one medium to another) which changes the speed
2
Q
How does refraction happen?
A
When waves slow down they bend towards the normal
When light enter glass it slows down
If a wave hits a boundary at 90 it was slow down but not change direction
3
Q
What is refractive index?
A
The ratio of speed of light in a vacuum to speed of light in that medium
4
Q
How are angle of incidence, angle of refraction and refractive index linked?
A
When an incident ray passed from air into a different material the angle of refraction of the ray depends on its refractive index
5
Q
How do you work out the refractive index?
A
Refractive index 1/sinC
